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POISON. As played by the " Hastt PnDDiiTG Clue" of Harvard College. 



GEO. M. BAKER'S 
NEW PLAYS. 




Copyright, 187fi, by George M. Bakek. 



.lust Published. — " The Poi>ular Edition " ot Baker's Reading Club and Han^ 
Speaker. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 50 Selections in each. Price, 15 cts. each 



Spencer's Universal Stage. 

A Collection of COMEDIES, DRAMAS, and FARCES, adapted to either Public or Privatt 
Performance. Containing a full description of all the 
necessary Stage Business. 

PRICE, 15 CENTS EACH. i@- No Plays Exchanged. 



1. LOST IN IiONDON. A Drama in 3 Acts. 

6 male, 4 female characters. 

2. NICHOLAS FLAM. A Comedy In 2 Acts. 

By J. B. Buckstone. 6 male, 3 female char. 

5. THE WELSH GIF.L. A Comedy in 1 Act. 

By Mrs. Planehe. 3 male, 2 female char. 
4. JOHN WOPPS. A Farce in 1 Act By 

W. £. Sutei. 4 male, 2 female char. 
e. THE TURKISH BATH. A Farce in 1 Act. 

By Montague Williams and F. C. Bumand. 

C male, 1 female char. 

6. THE TWO PTJDDIFOOTS. A Farce in 1 

Act. By J. M. Morton. 3 male, S female char. 
. OLD HONESTY. A Comic Drama in 2 

Acts. By J. M. Morton, fi male- 2 female char. 
, TWO G-ENTLEIIEN IN A FIX. A 

Farce in 1 Act. By W. E. Suter. 2 male char. 
8. SMASHINGTON GOIT. A Farce in 1 Act. 

By T. J. Williams. 5 male, 3 female char. 

10. TWO HEADS BETTER THAN ONE. A 

Farce in 1 Act. By Lenox Home. 4 male, 
1 female char. 

11. JOHN DOBBS. 'A Farce in 1 Act. ByJ.M. 

Slorton. 5 male, 2 female char. 

12. THE DAT! HTER of the REGIMENT. 

A Drama in 2 Acts. By .Edward Fitzball, 

6 male, 2 female char. 
-d. AUNT CHARLOTTE'S MAID. AFarceinl 

Act. By J. M. Morton. 3 male, 3 female char. 
14 BROTHER BILL AND HE. A Farce in 

1 Act. By W. E. Suter. 4 male, 3 female char. 
.15. DONE ON BOTH SIDES. A Farce in 1 

Act. By J. M. Morton. 3 male, 2 female char. 

16. DUNDirCKETTT'S PICNIC. A Farce in 1 

Act. By T. J. Williams. U male, 3 female char, 

17. I'VE WRITTEN TO BROWNE. A Farce 
, in 1 \ct. By T. J. Williams. 4 male, 3 female 

char. 
19. MY PRECIOUS BETSY. A Farce in 1 

Act. By J. M. Morton. 4 male, 4 female char. 
SO. Wi TURN NEST. AFarceinlAcf By 

T. J. Williams. 4 male, 3 female char. 

22. THE PHANTOTI BREAKFAST. A Farce 

in 1 Act. By Chas. Seiby. .'; male, 2 femaio cliar. 

23. DA"DELION"5 DCr)'}ES. A Fnrw in 1 

Act. By T. J. W iU.aii^s. 4 male, 2 lemaie char. 
24; A SLICE OF LUCX. A Farce in I Act. By 

J. M. Morton. 4 male, 2 femalt; char. 
25. ALWAYS INTENDED. A Coiredy in 1 

Act. By llorace Wigaa. 3 male, 3 female char. 
26 A BULL IN A CHINA SHOP. A Comedy 

in 2 Acts. By Charles Mattliews. G male, 4 

female char. 
2'/. ANOTHER GLASS. A Drama in 1 Act. By 

Thomas Morton. C male, 3 female char. 

28. BOWLED OUT. A Farce in 1 Act. By U. 

T. Craven. 4 male, 3 female char. 

29. COUSIN TOm. -A Commedietta in 1 Act. By 

Geo. Roberta. 3 iuu,U', 2 female char. 

50. SARAH'S YOUNG MAN. A Farce in 1 

Act. By W. £. suier. 3 male, 3 female char. 

51. HIT HIM, HE HAS NO FRIENDS. A 

Farce in .Act. By V.. Yates and N. 11. Har- 

riugtuu- 7 male, 3' female char. 
82. THH! CTT!iI?'^FWI'Mf>. A Farce in 1 Act. 

By J. il. lliic..;.i^ne. .'. iiiiila C female char. 
S3. A RACE FOR A "WTDOW. A Farce in 1 

Act. ByT. J. Williams. •5uiule,4 temalechar. 

34. YDUR LIFE'S IN DANGER. A Farce in 

1 Act. By J. -M. .Morton, a male, 3 female char. 

35. TRUE U""''TO DEATH. A Drama in 2 Acts. 
'. Bv J. 6i.>-i"lj^" I^"Owles. 6 male, n female char. 



86. DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND. An Interlude 

in 1 Act. By W. H. Murray. 10 male, 1 female 

char. 
aV. LOOK AFTER BROWN. A Farce in 1 Act. 

By George A. Stuart, M. D. 6 male, 1 female 

char. 
38. MONSEIGNEUR. A Drama in 3 Acts. By 

Thoma.s Archer. 15 male, 3 female char. 

30. A VERY PLEASANT EVENING. A 
Farce ml Act. By W. E. Suter. 3 male char. 

40. BROTHER BEN. A Farce in 1 Act. E? 1, 

M. Morton. 3 male, 3 female char. 

41. ONLY A CLOD. A Comic Drama in 1 ^-t 

By J. P. Simpson. 4 male, 1 female char. 

42. GASPARDO THE GONDOLIER. A 

Drama in 3 Acts. By George Almar. 10 male, 
2 female char. 

43. SUNSHINE THROUGH THE CLOUDS. 

A Drama in 1 Act. By Slingsby Lawrence. 3 
male, 3 tiemale char. 

44. DON'T JUDGE BY APPEARANCES. A 

Farce in 1 Act. By J. M. Morton. 3 male, 2 
female char. 
46. NURSE Y CHICKWEED. AFarceinl Act 
By T. J. Wi.liams. 4 male, 2 lemale char. 

46. MARY MOO ; or, Which shall I Marry? 

A Farce in 1 Act. By W. £. Suter. 2 male, 1 
female char. 

47. EAST LYNNS. A Drama in 6 Acts. 8 male, 

7 female char. 

48. THE HIDDEN HAND. A Drama in 5 Acts. 

By Robert Jones. 16 male, 7 female char. 

49. SIHTERSTONE'S WAGER. A Commedi- 
^ etta in 1 Act. By R. R. Andrews. 4 male, 3 fe- 
male char. 

50. DORA. A Pastoral Drama in 3 Acts. ByC'has. 

Eeade. 6 male, 2 female char. 

65. THE WIFE'S SECRET. A Play in S Acts. 

By Geo. W. Lovell. 10 male, 2 female char. 

66. THE BABES IN THE WOOD. A Com- 

edy in 3 Acts By Tom Taylor. 10 male. 3 fe- 
male char 
57. PUTEIN3 , Heir '. 3 Castles in the Air. 
A Comic Drama in i Act. By W. R. Emerson. 

2 male, 2 fe ..ale char. 

68. AN UGTY CUSTOMER. A Farce in 1 Act 
By '''h^n.js J. Williams. 3 male, 2 female char. 

59. B LUE AND CHERRY. A Comedy in 1 Act 

3 malp, 2 lemale char. 

60. A DOUBTFUL VICTORY. A Comedy in 

1 Act. 3 male, 2 female char. 

61. THE SCARLET LETTER. A Drama in 3 

Acts. 8 male, 7 female char. 

62. WHICH WILL HAVE HIM? A Vaude- 

ville. 1 male, 2 female char. 

63. MADAM IS ABED. A Vaudeville in 1 Act 

2 male, 2 female char. 

64. THE ANONYMOUS KISS. A VaudeviUe. 

2 male, 2 female char. 

65. THE CLEFT STICK. A Comedy in 3 Acts. 

5 ii:alc, 3 female char. 

66. A SOLDIER, A SAILOR, A TINKER, 

AND A TAILOR. A Farce in I AcJ. 4 male, 
2 female char. 

67. GIVE A DOG A BAD NAME. A Farce. 

2 male, 2 female char. 

68. DAMON AND PYTHIAS. A Farce. « 

male, 4 female char. 

69. A HUSBAND TO ORDER. A Serio-comic 

Drama in 2 Actu. S male, 3 female char. , 

70. PAY/IBLE ON DEMAND. A Domestic 

Drama in 2 Acts. 7 male, 1 female char. 



Descriptive Catalogrie maileii f-'ff at atf'Iicatirm (& 

Gro. M. Baker & Co., 47 Franklin St.. Boston. 



LORDS OF CEEATION. 



WOMAN SUFFRAGE DRAMA 



THREE ACTS. 



BT 



ELLA CHEEVEE THAYER. 




BOSTON : 

GEO. M. BAKER & CO., PUBLISHERS. 

1883. 



COPTKISHT, 

1SS3, 

BY GEORttJfi M. BAKER. 



All rights reserved. 



LORDS OF CREATION. 



CHARACTERS. 

Dr. Endicott, a true Man. 

Mr. Grovenor, the Head of his Family. 

Eugene, his Son, taking Life easy. 

Harold Doughlass, with more Money than Brains. 

JxM, a Coachmnn, much in Love. 

Kate GRoyENOB, who has a Mind of her own. 

Lizzie, a young Seamstress. 

Mrs. Grovenor, Mr. Grovenor's lesser half. 

Altct!: Grovenor, anxious for a rich Husband. 

Jennie, a Chambermaid who believes in Woman's Rights 



COSTUMES. 

Kate. Act I., handsome evening dress. Act II., house dress. Act III., 
black silk. 

Alice. Act I., elegant evening dress. Act II., house dress. Act HI., streej 
costume, hat, etc. 

Mrs. Or venor. Act L, evening dress. Act II., liouse dress. Act III., 
■wrapper. 

Lizzie. Act I., plain street costume. Act II. and Act III., plain house 
dress. 

Jennie. Pretty light calico and apron. 

Dr. Endicott. Business suit. 

3Ir. Grovenor. Sami'. 

Kufiew. Elegant suit, rather flashy. Plain suit in Act III. 

DoHghlans. Eleeant suit, not quite so loud as Eugene. 

Jim. Handsome livery. 



Tt) '•'^ 



r' 



.^1 



T^^^ 



LOEDS OF CREATION. 



ACT I. 



Scene. — Elegant Dkawing-Eoom. Door c, Sofa, r., 
Chairs, etc. Table, l. c. 

(Enter Jennie, c, holding small bouquet in her hand.') 

Jennie. Here is Mr. Eugene's bouquet, and now where is 
Mr. Eugene? Not here, of course, and I must be running 
all over the house to find him. All a body has to do is to 
wait on him, that is what he thinks! Eor he is a lord of 
creation, he is! And he must have his buttonhole bouquet, 
and his hair parted in the middle, and his mustache waxed, 
and everybody must bow down and worship him! But after 
all, he isn't as bad as his father. Oh! isn't he just awful! 
Dear me, what a terrible thing it must be to think yourself 
so superior, all on account of your sex ! 

Jim (looking in, c). May I come in? 

Jen. (looking over shoulder). Oh! You are here, are 
you? I might have known you would be! 

Jim (coming down n. awkwardly). Yes, because I always 
come where you are, if I can. 

Jen. (l.). Too bad, ain't it, I don't appreciate it any 
better? You have n't seen Mr. Eugene anywhere, have 
you? 

Jim. Seen him? No! That is, not since two o'clock this 
morning, when I helped him up-stairs, and he called me his 
darlmg Jim. 

Jen. How awful! 

Jim. I guess you would have said so if he had hugged you 
the way he did me! 

Jen. (coquettishly) . Well, I don't know; perhaps that 
might not have been quite so awful either! 

Jim (walking about ayigrily). Just let me catch him hug- 
ging you, or any other fellow, that 's all. 



6 LORDS OF CREATION. 

Jen. Dear mel And what business would that be of 
yours, I should like to know? This is a free country, sir, and 
I am a single woman, and hugging is n't a crime, and no man 
shall dictate to me. Sol {Stamps foot.) 

Jim. Who is dictating? How you do fly off! You know, 
Jennie, I think all the world of you! 

Jen. Yes, I dare say! Men always say so before they get 
married. I suppose that is what our master said to our mis- 
tress once, and now see the way he orders her about! And 
you would like to do the same by me, would n't you? But I 
am altogether too smart for that, sir! 

Jim. But good gracious, Jennie, how you do fly off! 
Never thought of such a thing in my life! 

Jen. Oh, pshaw! Men are all alike! Now I will bet a 
pound of candy that you think you know more than I do, just 
because 3'ou are a mau! 

Jim. Well — I — of course about some things. 

Jen. Somethings! just tell me one. 

Jim. Well — I — you see it would take me some time to 
think. 

Jen. Yes, I guess it would! Well, I have my eyes open, 
and I have n't lived in this house going on a year for nothing, 
and seen the airs master and Mr. Eugene give themselves! 
Over Miss Kate, too, who knows more than both of them put 
together. 

Jim {gesticulating). But, Jennie, a woman isn't supposed 
to know as much as a man. It is n't natural, you see! But 
a man likes them''all the better for it, and he likes to be looked 
up to, you know. 

Jen. {drawing herself up). You don't say so! How sorry I 
am I can't make you happy in that way. But the fact is, I 'd 
rather have a man who likes me for what I know and not for 
what I doiiH know! So {courtesying) I '11 leave you to find a 
woman with less brains than you have — if you can. {Exit c.) 

Jim (follmving). Jennie! here, Jennie! She has gone 
and she is mad! How she does fly off! And oh, how I 
do love her! Good gracious, how I do love her! {Comes 
down c.) Now why on earth should she get mad about 
a little thing like that! Does she want me to say every 
man is a natural-born fool? Hang me if I don't believe 
they are, where a woman is concerned! Here for the 
last six months I 've been a perfect slave to her. And all I 
get for it is to be told I belong to a tyrannical sex! But I 
won't stand it. No, I won't! {Going. Stops at door C.) I 



LORDS OF CREATION. 7 

am afraid I can't help it, though. Oh, what an awful thing it 
is to be in love! And between me and the furniture, I do 
believe if a woman is the weaker sex, she always gets the best 
of a man somehow. (Exit, l. 2 e.) 

(Enter Mrs. Gkovenor and Alice, c.) 

Mrs. G. (as she enters). Well, no, my dear. Dr. Endicott 
is not a particularly good match. But Mr. Doughlass has an 
immense fortune, you know. 

Alice (sits r. on sofa). Yes, but Mr. Doughlass is such a 
bore, ma. 

Mrs. G. (sitting, L.). Ah, well, a bore is better than a 
tyrant, child. 

Alice. But there must be some men who are neither. 

Mrs. G. That kind are very hard to find, and, by some 
strange chance, are usually poor in purse when found. Wit- 
ness Dr. Endicott, for instance. 

Alice. It would never do to marry a poor man. 

Mrs. G. Do! With your extravagant tastes it would be 
madness. I have no doubt Mr. Doughlass would make you 
a very good husband, and it is time you were thinking of set- 
tling in life now. 

Alice. But Kate is older than I am. 

Mrs. G. I fear poor Kate will surely be an old maid, in 
spite of aU I can do. Alas! there has never been one in 
the family yet, and to think one of my daughters should be 
first to bear that stigma is terrible to contemplate. 

Alice. Is n't it strange that she never tries to be attrac- 
tive to gentlemen V 

Mrs. G. And she actually wants to vote. I am sure I 
cannot conceive where she obtained such thoughts. Certainly 
not from me. 

(Enter Kate, c.) 

Kate (stopping at door). You are mistaken, mother. 

Mrs. G. (rising quickly.) You here, Kate? How you do 
startle one! What do you mean by that remark? 

Kate (coming down c). I mean, mother, that I first con- 
ceived my horror of occupying a dependent position from see- 
ing how you were obliged to coax and manage, to bear cross 
looks and sarcastic remarks, whenever you asked father for 
money. 

Mrs. G. (looking around alarmed). Hush! Do not speak 
so loud; your father is in the library, and might hear. 

Kate. I am not afraid to say to any one that I had rather 
earn my money than have it doled out to me as a favor 
grudgingly bestowed. (Sits at table L. c.) 



8 LORDS OF CREATION. 

Mrs. G. (sitting l.). I will admit, Kate, that it has always 
been very hard to obtain money from your father; and now 
listen to reason. You are aware that we spend every cent of 
our income in order to keep up our style of living. The fu- 
ture of you two girls cannot be provided for by us, so there 
is but one thing for you to do, — to marry. 

Kate, Are you sure that is the only thing? 

Mrs, G. Why, what else is there — for a woman? 

Kate. Many Avomen are independent by the fruit of their 
own exertions, "Why could not I be? 

Mrs. G. (with slight scream). You quite shock me. Do 
you not know you would lose your position in society by such 
a course? 

Kate. I am willing to lose it, if to keep it I must barter 
my own self-respect, 

Mrs. G. Barter your self-respect! AVhat do you mean? 

Kate. I mean sell myself for the sake of being supported 
in idleness. 

Alice (languidly fanning herself). The idea of a lady actu- 
ally wanting to work! 

Kate, J cannot live on husks, Alice. 

Mrs. G, I cannot understand why you should be so op- 
posed to marriage. 

Kate. You mistake me very much if you think I am. 
Oh, no! I know well that the deepest and truest happiness in 
life is in love and marriage. It is against making marriage a 
trade, degrading it to a means of support, that I protest, with 
all my soul! (Rises.) 

Alice, A trade! How absurd! Would you marry a poor 
man for love? 

Kate. Without an instant's hesitation, and I would never 
be a dependent burden on him! Oh! mother, can you not see 
how much of the misery in the world is caused by the way 
girls are educated, in helpless dependence, often obliged to 
sell themselves to the first man who offers, because they can- 
noi support themselves? Do not condemn me to such a fate. 
Give me a chance to be independent of all such considerations 
in ray choice of a husband. 

Mrs, G, (with impatient gesture). Konsense, You are crazy. 

Alice, The best thing you can do, Kate, is to set your cap 
for Dr, Endicott, 

Kate. I am very much mistaken in Dr. Endicott if he 
would deign to notice a woman who had stooped to set her 
cap. (Sits L. c) 



* LORDS OF CREATION. 9 

Mrs. G. (sighing). I am sure I do not know what will be- 
come of you with such ideas. 

Mr. G. (outside). Where is Eugene? I want him. 

Mrs. G. Hush! here comes your father. 

Alice (starting up from reclining position). Oh, mother! 
do ry to get some money of him for a new ball dress. Mine 
are shameful! 

Mrs. G. I will do my best, but it is hard work. I hope 
you may never know how hard when you have a husband of 
your own. 

(Enter Mr. Grovenor, C, his hands full of papers, hills, 
etc.) 

Mr. G. (very crossly). Where is that boy? What do 
these bills mean? The expenses of this house must be cut 
down. Do you think I am made of money, Mrs. Grovenor? 

Mrs. G. (timirily). I am very sorry. I am sure I do the 
best I can. 

Mr. G. (sitting R. of table and looking over hills). I think 
you would find a way to be more economical if you had to 
earn the money you spent. It's a pity you women did not 
have to do it once in a while, and then you would know how 
good it was. 

Kate (leaning on tahle, earnestly). That is just what I wish 
to do, father. Give me the chance and I will relieve you of 
the burden of my support. 

Mr. G. (staring at his own papers). You would do fine 
things, I dare say. I do not believe you know exactly what 
you are talking about, but then a woman never does. Now, 
for instance, how long do you suppose it would take you to 
earn that dress you have on, at women's avei-age wages? 

Kate. I could wear a cheaper dress, if need be. I am 
aware that men, in whose hands now rests the power, show 
their boasted " chivalry" to tbe so-called " weaker sex" by 
paying her half they pay a man for the same work 

Mr. G. (dropping papers angrily). What confounded folly 
you talk! If a woman did her work as well as a man she 
would get the same wages; but she does not. She isn't 
thinking of her work. When she is young she is thinking of 
getting married, when she is old she is mad because she can't. 

Kate (loith dignity). Pardon me, father, but I think it is 
you who are talking folly. 

Mr. G. Humph! I suppose you would like to vote? 

Kate. I see no reason why I should not. 

Mr. G. (rises and looks her over, then looks at Mrs. G.) 



10 LOKDS OF CREATION. 

What kind of sentiments have you instilled into your eldest 
daughter, Mrs. Grovenor? 

Mrs. G. Z, Mr. Grovenor! Do Kate's remarks sound like 
my teachings? 

Mr. G. (c). Well, no, I will acquit you of ever having 
any tendencies towards doing anything to bring money into 
the family, Mrs. Grovenor. 

Kate. Father, I have some -artistic talent, I think; why 
may I not study and become an artist? AUI ask is that I may 
not be a burden on you or any one {going to him). You will 
not refuse me this, father. 

Mr. G. (2nttting arm aroimd her). There, there, Kate, 
you are a good girl, and if you was only a boy I would make 
something of you; but as you are not, the best advice I can 
give you is to go and marry some good man and forget these 
foolish ideas of yours about voting and all that stuff. (Going, 
stops.) Mrs. Grovenor, send that boy to me at once, do you 
hear? Here is a bill of his for champagne that is something 
frightful! He certainly has inherited your extravagant 
taste. (Exit, c.) 

Mrs. G. (rising). There, Kate, you heard what your 
father said. Perhaps you will take his advice if you will not 
■ take mine. Do you think you can find Eugene? 

Kate. I will try. (Aside.) They all discourage me, but 
I will not be daunted! (Exit, L. 2 E.) 

Alice. You did not say a word about my dress, mother. 

Mrs. G. But he is in such a bad humor! However, 1 will 
go now and see what can be done. Talk about earning 
money! I am sure I doubly earn every cent I get from Mr. 
Grovenor, and always have. (Exit, C.) 

Alice. I believe father grows nore stingy every day. 
Oh, dear! 1 suppose I shall have to marry that dreadful Mr. 
Doughlass. What a strange girl Kate is! And yet I do not 
know, I am not sure but what it would be nice to be inde- 
pendent. 

(Enier JEiWfiE, c.) 

Jen. (coming down and handing card). Are you at home, 
Miss Alice? 

Alice (tahes it and reads). " Harold Doughlass." Yes 
(sighs), I suppose so. 

Jen. Yes 'm. (Aside.) He is one of the superior sex, 
and he don't know so much as an idiot! (Exit, c. ) 

Alice. 'Now, were I independent, I should certainly have 
said 1 was engaged and I could not see him. How shall I be 



LORDS OF CREATION. 11 

able to endure him for a lifetime, when he bores me so for an 
hour? 

(Enter Dotjghlass, eye-glass, cane, etc., c.) 

AiiiCE (rising). I am delighted to see you, Mr. Dough- 
lass! 

Doug, (c.) Aw! thank you. You are looking more chawni- 
ing than ever this evening, Miss Alice. 

Alice (aside). He always says that. (Aloud.) You quite 
flatter me. Please be seated. ( Offers chair.) 

Doug, (sitting, l.). Aw! this has been a fine day, hasn't 
it, now? 

Alice (sitting, r.). "Very fine indeed. 

Doug. I hope we shall have as fine to-mowow. 

Alice. I hope so, truly. 

Doug. But I weally feaw we shall have wain. 

Alice. You quite alarm me. 

Doug. Aw! I do not like wain. 

Alice. I^Tor I. (Aside, yawning.) Can't he talk about 
something besides the weather? 

Doug, (adjusting eye-glasses). I hope your pawents are 
both well! 

Alice. Quite well, thank you. 

Doug. I need not ask if you are, for you look more 
chawming than usual! 

Alice. Ah! you are very complimentary. (Aside.) 
How many times is he going to say that? 

Doug. Aw! yes, you are always chawming to me, you 
know! (Aside.) A fellow must flatter these girls. That's 
the secret! 

Alice. You quite confuse me. (Aside.) Is he going to 
propose? 

Doug. Aw! I — aw — I twust you do not dislike to be 
confused- because I think you chawming, you know? (Goes 
and sits beside her on sofa.) 

Alice. Of course I am only too pleased to be so favored. 

Doug. Yes — aw — and some day I shall tell you just how 
chawming I do think you. You are so different from your 
sister, you know. Why — aw — but weally a fellow is quite 
afwaid of her. 

Alice. Afraid? What, you afraid of a lady? 

Doug. Well, not — not exactly afwaid, of course, but 
you see — aw — I never know what to say to her. We fellows 
do not like these — aw — strong-minded ladies, you know. 
We like these ■ — aw — gentle, clinging, soft girls, that do not 



12 LORDS OF CREATION. 

know so much, you know, of whom you, Miss Alice, are such 
a chawming type I 

Alice (rising). Indeed. Thanks for the implied compli- 
ment to my intellect," sir! (Crosses to C.) 

Doug. Eh? (Aside.) What the deuce did I say to put 
her out like that? (Aloud.) I mean that you are vewy 
chawming, the style of girl we fellows pwefer, you know. 
(Bises and hows low.) 

Alice (aside). It will not do to get angry with him yet. 
But if I marry him I '11 let him know whether I have any 
hrains or not! (Aloud.) Indeed, Mr. Doughlass? But 
really, I do not think Kate so very formidable. Ahl here she 
comes now. (Goes to r. c.) 

Doug. I 'm sorry — aw — to have our tete-a-tete interrupted, 
and I am sure I do not know what to say to her, nevaw do, 
you know! 

(Enter Kate, l. 2 e., and hows to Doughlass coldly.) 

Doug, (aside). She looks at a fellow in away that fweezes 
him all over. Aw — I '11 flattaw her. (Aloud.) Aw — you 
are looking as chawming as usual. Miss Grovenor. 

Kate. I am very glad if you have been so fortunate as 
to discover the fact. 

Doug, (aside). That always does please them, to he sure. 

(Enter Eugene, l. 2 e.) 

EuG. (going to c). Well, Kittie,liere I am; now where is 
the governor, and what 's the row? Ah, Harold, my hoy, how 
are you? Where were you last night? Jolly old time the 
boys had. But champagne does make a fellow feel like the 
deuce the next day. 

Kate (l ). Is it worth while to drink it, then? 

EuG. Oh! come now! don't preach. Confound it, a 
woman is always preaching. If they had their way a fellow 
would have no fun at all, eh, Harold? 

Doug. ]^o — aw — that is, the ladies think so much of us, 
they want to make us saints, you know. 

EuG. Can't be done, though, eh? What is the .use of living 
if a man can't have a good time? (Sings.) By Jove, I am 
glad I was n't born a woman. They take things too seriously 
altogether. But they look up to us, for all their preaching, 
eh, Harold? 

Doug. (R.). To be sure — aw. 

Kate. That must require quite a stretch of the imagina- 
tion sometimes. 

EuG. Hope that is n't personal, Kittie. Kever mind, you 



LORDS OF CREATION. 13 

will be proud of me some time, only a fellow must have his 
fling, you know, l^ow I must go and get my dose from the 
governor. By by, Harold, see you again. {Exit, c.) 

Kate. Poor Eugene. 

Doug. I beg pardon. (Aside.) "What the deuce ails her 
now? (Aloud.) Poor Eugene? Why, he is the liveliest fellaw 
I know. The boys nevaw think of having a champagne sup- 
per without Eugene, you know. 

Kate. I am sorry if my brother is sought only for ihe 
purpose of gracing champagne suppers and disgracing him- 
self. 

DoTJG. Aw — weally now, weally, aren't you a little too 
severe. 

Alice (c). Of course she is. A young man must sow his 
wild oats. 

Kate (l.). But I believe a young lady is not allowed that 
privilege. What is wrong for one must be for the other? 

Alice. You shock me, Kate. 

Doug. Aw — weally now, 'pon my honor, that is such a 
strange wemark, Miss Grovenor; a lady is of course above 
such things. 

. Kate. Then in that respect, at least, she must be superior 
to a man. I am glad to hear you acknowledge even so 
little. 

Doug. Aw — now — aw — you quite confuse me . (Aside) 
I must go wight away, never could stand these strong-minded 
ladies. (Aloud.) Aw — I — I never argue with a lady, you 
know. But I am afwaid I shall have to tear myself away, as 
I have a very particular engagement. 

Alice. I am so sorry! But we shall see you again soon? 

Doug. Aw — vewy soon — aw — I should only be too happy 
to wemain forever in your chawming pwesence. (Kisses her 
hand, hows to Kate, and exit, c.) 

Alice. Well, you have driven him away. It will be very 
convenient to have you around after he and I are married, 
but previously the experiment is too dangerous, and I shall 
have to ask you to be kind enough to keep your strange ideas 
exclusively for our family circle. (Exit, L. 2 E.) 

Kate. Strange ideas! Is it so strange to long to be inde- 
pendent? Is it strange to shrink from being a burden on an 
already over-burdened father, or dependent upon the whims 
of some unloved husband? Is it strange to wish to exercise 
the talents and energy God has given you instead of allowing 
them to rust out in darkness? Does the fact of my being a 



l4 Lords of creation. 

•woman make me content to drift along aimlessly, in a stream 
that leads nowhere? No! a thousand times, no I 

(^wier Jennie, c.) 

Jen. Dr. Endicott, miss. 

Kate. Please ask him in. 

Jen. Yes 'ra. (Aside.) He is a man what is a man. (Exit, c.) 

Kate. I wonder does he, too, think me strange? 

(Enter Dr. Endicott, c.) 

Dr. E. (coming doimi L.). At last I am with you once more, 
where I should have been long ago had not duty called me 
elsewhere. 

Kate. I am delighted to welcome you. Father was say- 
ing yesterday he wished to see you. 

Dr. E. Oh, yes, there is a little business matter between 
us. And what have you been doing since I was last here? 

Kate. Oh, nothing. 

Dr. E. Nothing? ^Keally nothing? 

Kate. Oh, I have embroidered a little, painted a little, 
and practised music a little. But it all amounted to — as I 
said — nothing. 

Dr. E. It served to pass away the time pleasantly, at 
least. 

Kate. Yes. But is that what we are living for, to pass 
away time? 

Dr. E. You are right. Such a life is not suited to a 
woman of your temperament. 

Kate. But what can I do? Father and mother object to 
my doing anything that is real. Because I seek some aim in 
life, because I seek an independent position, they call me 
unwomanly and strange. 

Dr. E. Is it indeed so? Alas that these old prejudices of 
a by-gone age should trammel a woman now I 

Kate. 1 just frightened Mr. Doughlass away with my 
strange ideas. 

Dr. E. (laughing). Poor Harold! But you cannot frighten 
me away, Miss Grovenor. It is just this free, untrammelled, 
independent woman we need in the world now. 

Kate (c). I can feel now that I have one friend who 
knows and sympathizes with me. 

Dr. E. (going toioards her). And who honors jou above 
all women. Kate, may I add that this woman I have de- 
scribed is the woman I want at my fireside for my companion, 
friend, and my wife? There is one woman who is all I ask, 
one woman whom I love, but I dare not even hope for her 



LORDS OP CREATION. 15 

favor. (E'nier Eugene, c.) That M^oman, Kate, is — (Takes 
her hand.) 

EuG. (coming down c. between therh). That 's right, doctor, 
shake hands with her, but after that keep at a discreet distance, 
for slie hates men, you know. Wants to vote and smoke 
cigars, and wear bloomers and all that sort of thing, you 
know. 

Kate (r.)- Eugene! I am ashamed of you. 

EuG. Ah, never mind me, sis. The doctor won't take 
too much stock in what I say, will you, doctor. And as for 
you, Kit, you will get over all those notions of yours some 
day and acknowledge that we men are capable of taking care 
of the nation, eh, doctor? 

Dr. E. (l.). Such very excellent care as we take of it! 

Kate. And such pains as you take to elect none but hon- 
est men to office ! 

Etjg. Ha! ha! that is n't a bad one for j-ou, sis, it 's a pity 
you are a woman, for you would have been a smart man and 
no mistake. But what the deuce of a temper the governor is 
in ! Making such a fuss over a little bill for our champagne 
supper last night as I never heard. 

Kate. I wish you would let champagne alone, Eugene. 

EuG. ISTow don't preach. Say, can't you coax some money 
out of him some way? You women know how to do that sort 
of thing. 

Kate, I fear I am deficient in that feature of our sex. 

EuG. Oh, hang it! but I must have the money some way. 

(Enter Lizzie, c. Looks at Kate.) 

Lizzie. Excuse me, but I was told I should find Mrs. 
Grovenor here. Are you the lady? 

'EvG. (aside). By Jove, Lizzie, and here! (Goes to 'L.of 
Dr.E.) 

Kate. Please come in and be seated. I will call mother. 

Liz. (entering and going down R.). I believe she advertised 
for a seamstress, and I — (Looks at the gentlemen ^screams., 
and sinks into chair, R. c. Dr. E. and Kate go to her.) 

EuG. (aside). This is devilish awkward. Hope she will 
know enough to hold her tongue. By Jove, I 'm in a fix all 
around. (Exit hastily, c.) 

Kate (as Lizzie revives). Are you bettei ? 

Liz. Yes — T — yes, thank you. (Looking around. Aside.) 
He has gone. 

Dr. E. The heat of the room overpowered her, doubtless. 
I will leave her to your care while I go and see your father. 



16 LORDS OF CREATION. 

Kate. You will find liira in the library. 

Dr. E. I will soon return. (Exit, c.) 

Kate (aside). She looked very strangely at the doctor 
before she fainted. What can it mean? 

Liz. I — I beg pardon for troubling you so much. I can- 
not imagine what made me so dizzy. 

Kate. I am very glad you have recovered. 

Ltz. Thank you. ^I — I will go now, (liises.) 

Kate. But I thought you Avished to see my mother? 

Liz. Yes — but I — I think I cannot attend to it now. 
(Goes up c.) 

Kate (aside). There is something strange in her behavior. 
I will try and find out what is the matter. Perhaps I can help 
her. (Aloud.) Do not go until you are quite well. I thought 
you recognized the — the gentleman who was here just now. 
May I ask if it was so? 

Liz. (coming down Ti. confusedly). Yes — I— ^I have seen 
him before, in the country, where I lived. He boarded there 
one summer. 

Kate (l.). Then you are acquainted? 

Liz. (c). Acquainted? Have I not sat by his side hour 
after hour underneath the trees and — oh! what have I said? 

Kate (aside). Why do I tremble? (Aloud, going to her.) 
Do not fear, child, have confidence in me and let me be your 
friend. I see you have some great trouble. 

Liz. Forgive me for having said what I did, but his ap- 
pearance took me so by surprise, and I have not yet recovered 
myself. 

Kate (putting arm around her). Poor child, tell me all 
without fear, and I will do anything I can to help you.„ 

Liz. You are good and kind, I know, and I will confide in 
you. He — he told me he loved me, and I — I — believed it. 
And I loved him with all my heart. Life was nothing to 
me without him. But on3 day, with promises to return soon 
and make me his wife, he left me and I never saw him again 
until to-day. Ah I it broke my heart! it broke my heart! 

(Sinks sohhing on chair, R. c.) 

Kate (c, aside). And I, too, loved him. And he dared to 
speak of love to me, after having ruined the happiness of 
this confiding child. He whom I thought so good, so noble, 
who was my ideal of what a man should be. And how un- 
moved he was in her presence. (Aloud.) Poor girl (goes 
to Lizzie, hneels and puts her arm around her), you have my 
deepest sympathy. Be brave; he is not worth those tears. 



LORDS OF CREATION. 17 

I will be your friend and comfort you all I can. Here (rising), 
go in this room ; lie will be back soon and I do not wish you 
to have the pain of meeting him. What you have told me 
shall be sacred. I will see you again soon. (Takes her to R.) 

Liz. Ah! thank you a thousand times for your goodness. 
(Exit, R.) 

Kate. Yes, he is coming back. "Will he speak of his 
love again, trusting to her silence? His love? His noble 
words but now were decoys to catch the hand of a supposed 
heiress by pandering to her theories. Ah, heavens! is there 
no truth in the world? Unhappy, indeed, must the woman 
be whose whole life is dependent on the truth or falsehood of 
a man. Oh, woman's heart! who can escape the suffering 
its tenderness brings? Strong-minded let me be, and deal 
with him as he deserves! 

(Enter Dr. Endicott, c.) 

Dr. E. (coming down R.). I am happy to say your father 
and I have settled our little affair with mutual satisfaction; 
and now, Kate (going to her), Tnaj I finish the sentence so 
rudely interrupted? May I dare to ask the one woman in 
the world for me, to share my life? 

Kate (turning from him). I should hardly think you 
would dare, sir. (Goes to L.) 

Dr. E. Kate, do I merit that strange tone of severity? 

Kate. Sir, do you think you are worthy of such a woman 
as you have described? 

Dr. E. 'No, Kate, no man is. But I would hope by her 
aid and the influence of her pure example to make myself 
more worthy day after day. 

Kate. Your hyijocrisy deceives .me no longer, Dr. Endi- 
cott. The man I marry t must honor as well as love. I can- 
not honor you. Farewell. (Points to door, c.) 

Tableau. Music. Dr. Endicott, r. ; Kate. l. 



ACT II. 



Scene. — Library ik Mr. Grovenor's House. Desk, 
R., Books, etc. Jennie discovered arranging 
Books at Desk. Chairs r. and l. 

Jen. Kow I wonder what it all means? Let me see. 
{Counts 071 fingers.) Mr. Grovenor is cross all the time, Mrs. 
Grovenor is frightened all the time, Miss Alice is nervous all 
the time. Miss Kate is sober all the time, and Mr. Eugene is 
drunk — I mean jolly — all the time. Dr. Endicott don't come 
here any more. Eyeglass Dougfelass is here all the time, 
there is a sighing seamstress up-stairs, and Jim — but I know 
what the matter is with Jim — he is in love with me, that 's 
what ails him. But what ails everybody else is more than I 
can tell, 

{Enter Mr. Grovenor, l. u. e.) 

Mr. G. (going to desk). That will do, Jennie, that will do. 

Jen. Very well, sir. (Aside.) What a scowl he has on 
him! I do believe I should be tempted to marry Jim, if it 
was n't for the awful example before me. (Exit, L. u. E.) 

Mr. G. (sitting] at desk, r.). JSTothing but debts, debts. 
What a fool a man is to get married and saddle himself with 
an expensive family! Well, there is one consolation, my 
girls will be off my hands some time. Not a bad bargain will 
the man make who gets Kate. It 's a pity, a great pity she 
isn't a boy. A very different son she would have been to 
me from the one I have. If I had time to spare from money 
matters, Eugene would give me great anxiety. Here is that 
note of Brown's due next week; how am I to meet it? 
But it must be done or my credit is lost! 

Jen. (outside). This way, sir; you will find him in the 
library. 

DovQ. (outside). Aw — pwecisely. (Enter Dovghlass, T.. 
U. E.) Aw — good morning, sir. I twust you are well to- 
day. 

Mr. G. (rising). Kot quite well, I am sorry to say. Will 
you be seated? 



LORDS OF CREATION. 19 

Doug, (sitting l.). Aw — thank you, but you seem vewy 
busy. 

Mr. G. We business men are always busy, (Sits, R.) 

PouG. Aw, pwecisely. I will not twespass long on your 
valuable time. To pwoceed to business at once, 1 came to 
ask — aw — for your daughter's hand, 

Mr. G. Indeed! Have you my daughter's consent? 

DoTJG. Aw — not exactly, but I weally do not think there 
will be any twouble about that, (Aside.) Does he think any 
woman would wefuse me? 

Mr. G. I was not aware matters had gone so far. But I 
have two daughters. Do you mean my eldest or — 

Doug. Aw — no, no, your youngest. (Aside.) Does he 
take me for a woman's wights convention? 

Mr. G. If my daughter is agreeable, then, you have my 
full consent. (Aside.) How little he knows what an expen- 
sive luxury he is about to indulge in. 

Doug, (rising). Aw — thank you, I thought it was best to 
see you first, you know, and now I will not twespass on your 
valuable time any longer. Good morning. 

Mr, G. (rising and shaking hands with him). Good morn- 
ing, and I wish you success, (Exit Dougiilass, l. u. e.) 
Ay, that I do with all my heart. One burden less. Oh, if that 
note was only paid ! (Exit into anteroom, R. 1 E.) 

(Enter Doughlass, l. u, e.) 

Doug, I beg pardon, but I believe I left my glove — aw 
— the old man has gone. Well, no matter, 1 '11 just find my 
glove and depart, (Looks for glove.) 

(Enter Jennie, l, u. e.) 

Jen. If you please, sir — oh! 

Doug, (aside, looking nt her throuyh eye-glass). Always 
thought she was devilish pwetty, (Aloud) Aw — do not be 
afwaid, my dear, 

Jen, (coming down L,), Afraid of youf Oh, no, indeed, 
sir! 

Doug. Aw — that is wight. Let me see, what is your name, 
my dear? 

Jen. Jennie, sir, (Aside.) Oh, what a fool he is! 

Doug, Jennie — aw — vewy pwetty name, Jennie, 

Jen. Do you think so, sir? It must be if you do. 

Doug. Aw — yes, and a vewy pwetty girl owns it, too. 

(Enter Jim, l. u. e. Stops up stage listening.) 

Jen. You don't say so! 

Doug, (getting closer to her). Aw — didn't you know you 
were a vewy pwetty girl, Jennie? 



20 LORDS OF CREATION. 

Jen. (imitating). Aw — weally, sir! 

Doug. You little wogue, I have a good mind to snatch 
a — 

(Jim conies down c and throws him over to E.) 
Jim (c). You have, have you? 

Doug. (r.). You vulgaw fellow, how dare you lay your 
hands on a gentleman! 

Jim. Because you forgot to be a gentleman, sir, that's 
how, and I '11 do it every time, too, so you need n't try to come 
any of them games here. 

Jen. (l.). Ain't you ashamed of yourself, Jim ? Suppose 
the gentleman did say I was pretty, what then? There was 
no occasion for you to show your superiority, and it 's entirely 
out of place. (Aside.) Just as if I should have allowed that 
jackanapes to kiss me! What stupid things these men are! 

Jim. He had no business to do it. He had no business to 
be so near you; I won't stand by and see it done. 

Doug. Weally, this is a most extraordinary thing! Look 
here, fellow — (Going towards him.) 

Jim. Don't call me fellow, sir. (Crossing to L.) 
(Enter Dr. Endicott, l. u. e.) 

Dr. E. (coming down r. c). Oh, Mr. Doughlass, you 
here? 

Doug. Aav — yes, happy to see you. (Aside.) Good gwa- 
cious! It will never do to have him catch me in a wow with 
the coachman. (Aloud.) Aw — I was about leaving. Here, 
my good fellow. (Gives money to Jim and exit x,. u. E.) 

Jim (looks at money, then throws it after him). There, sir! 
You wUl find money is not a plaster for everything. 

Jen. Ain't you ashamed of yourself, Jim! Is this the 
way you show your superiority, I 'd like to know? 
Dr. E. (c). What does this all mean? 
Jim. Excuse me, sir, it 's nothing but a little quarrel that 
Jennie and I were having. ISTothing uncommon, sir. She 
is like all women, the better a man likes her the worse he 
gets treated. 

Jen. Do not listen to him, please, doctor. It 's all a bit 
of nonsense, any way. If that last you said is true, Jim, all I 
have got to say is that it shows a great weakness in the sex. 
(Exit, li. u. E.) 
Jim. There you hear her, sir? 
Dr. E. Y'"our sweetheart is a little Avilful, I fear. 
Jim. Sh! don't let her hear you say that, for she ain't 
my sweetheart, you know. That is, she Avon't acknowledge 



LORDS OF CREATION. 21 

it. It 's me wlio am a dangling and a dangling after her, and 
she laughing at me, or berating me for it ^11 the time. Oh, 
sir! it is an awful thing to be in love. Why, sir, if this goes 
on much longer, I sha'ii't have flesh enough left to keep my 
bones together with. 

Dr. E. Then why do you not insist on either yes or no 
from her and abide by it. 

Jim. Jnsisif, did you say, sir? Insist? Why, sir, I have to 
get down on my marrow bones, sir, and then she ain't satisfied I 

Dr. E. But what does she wish you to do? 

Jim. I '11 tell you what she wants, sir. She wants me to 
give up the dignity of my sex. 

Dr. E. (surprised). I fear I do not quite understand. 

Jim. She wants me to acknowledge that I am a fool, sir; 
nothing will content her but my admitting I am a perfect 
fool. 

Dr. E. That is very strange. 

Jim, You see, she thinks it her duty to sit down on me ! 
just to show she ain't inferior, you know: 

Dr. E. I am afraid she and you also have gone to the two 
extremes of an idea. Now I do not believe you would wish 
to exercise any undue authority over her. 

Jim. Authority? over Jennie? No, indeed, sir, and to tell 
you the truth, I don't believe there is any fellow alive who 
could do it and live. 

Dr. E. I have more faith in Jennie than to believe she 
would really like a man who was inferior to herself. I think 
she adopts that tone as a safeguard because she has a misgiv- 
ing that the masculine instinct is to assert itself over the 
feminine. But if you give her to understand that as far as 
you are concerned she is wrong, I think there will be no 
trouble. 

Jim. Thank you, sir, I '11 try. I suppose a man and woman 
are two halves, equal halves, but I have a feeling that Jen- 
nie won't be content with half ; she will want two thirds at 
least. (Exit^ L. u. E.) 

Dr. E. Poor fellow, I trust his Jennie will not be obdu- 
rate. Ashe says, it is an awful thing to be in love. Love! 
Is it a blessing or a curse? A week ago, and for me it meant 
happiness, and now — ah, Kate, what is it that stands between 
us? I can obtain no explanation from her; she refuses to see 
me alone. Is it what a man who has less faith in the sex 
than I would call a woman's caprice? No! Kate is a noble, 
a true woman, nothing can make me doubt that! " I must 



'22 LORDS OF CREATION. 

honor as well as love the man I marry." What can she 
have meant? What have I clone? I am groping in darkness, 
hut I will find my way into the light yet! 

(Enter Mr. Grovenor, r. 1 E.) 

Mr. G. Ah, my dear doctor, you are a stranger indeed. 
I sent for you to-day, as I am feeling far from well. I have 
had a great mental strain of late and I fear it has been ' too 
much for me. 

Dr. E. I can truly believe it. I am grieved to see you 
looking so ill. 

Mr. G. My head troubles me sadly. 

Dr. E. You need rest. 

Mr. G. Rest! Rest is impossible for me. 

Dr. E. Cannot your son — 

Mr. G. Eugene! no! He is good for nothing except to 
sing comic songs at champagne suppers and talk soft non- 
sense to equally soft girls. No. I regret to say Eugene is 
not a son of whom I can be proud, or who is willing to be 
useful to me. 

Dr. E. But your daughter Kate. I am positive she could 
be of great assistance to you if you would allow her. 

Mr. G, What ! a woman meddling in my business mat- 
ters? Absurd! 

Dr. E. I am sorry I cannot agree with you. I know 
Miss Grovenor has business ability, energy, and brains; 
what more do you want? 

Mr. G. But she is a woman and that settles the matter. 
Let us not discuss this point. And now can you not give me 
something that will stop this burning in my head? 

Dr. E. I will try, but I fear, without rest, medicine will 
do you little good. 

(Enter Kate, l. u. e.) 

Kate (coming down c). Father, I — 'Dr. Endicott! 

Dr. E. (l.). Kate! 

Kate. I thought my father was alone ; excuse my intru- 
sion. (Aside.) It is hard to remember how dishonorable he 
was when I see him as now. But I must. 

Dr. E. Do not go, I was about leaving. May I ask to be 
favored with an interview, at any time possible to you? 

Kate. I regret to be obliged to say no to your request. 

Mr. G. Why, what do you mean, Kate? 

Kate. What I say, father. 

Dr. E. I appeal to your sense of justice. Is it right to 
refuse me all explanation? 



LORDS or CREATION. 23 

Kate. Can you say you need one? 

Dr. E. I can. 

Kate {aside). His eyes meet mine unfalteringly. Can 
there have been a mistake? But no, that is impossible. 
{Aloud.) As you will. I will see you to-morrow atthis hour. 

Dr. E. I thank you. Pardon me, Mr. Grovenor, but as this 
is a matter that concerns me very nearly I could do no other- 
wise than speak in your presence — my only opportunity. I 
will send the medicine for you very soon. To-morrow at this 
hour, Kate, I hope to clear up all your doubts. {Exit, L. 1J. E. 
Kate looks after him.) 

Mr. G. What cursed nonsense is all this? 

Kate. iN^othing, father, only Dr. Endicott asked me to be 
his wife. 

Mr. G. The devil he did. 

Kate. And I refused. 

Mr. G. What! refused? why, you are a bigger fool than 
most women! 

Kate. Thank you, father. But in a matter like that, you 
must allow even a woman has the right to choose. 

Mr. G. And are you expecting a prince, that the doctor, a 
fine, handsome man, is not good enough for you? It is not 
every one who would want you, with your unfeminine ideas! 

Kate. Well, father, I think I can manage to exist un- 
married. 

Mr. G. Exist? on what? I have no property to leave 
you. 

Kate. Then at least I shall escape taxation without repre- 
sentation. 

Mr. G. There you go again with your crazy ideas ! I de- 
clare I have no patience with you. What was that he meant 
about an exjilanation? 

Kate. That I am not at liberty to tell, as it is a secret that 
concerns others. 

Mr. G. a secret? Ah, well, it will come out soon enough, 
then. No woman yet ever kept a secret. 

Kate. We shall see. 

Mr. G. Well, Kate, I will not deny you have always been 
a good girl; I believe you never teased me for money in your 
life, but you were a fogl to refuse the doctor. However, there 
is no accounting for a woman's whims, and you may think 
better of it. 

Kate. Let us dismiss that subject. I came here, father, to 
beg you to let me help you. I know you are ill and need rest. 



24 LORDS OP CREATION. 

I know you are oppressed by many cares, "while I ^ I liave 
absolutely nothing to fill my time. I feel I could help you. 
Forget I am a woman, if need be, and let me try. 

Mr. G. I know you mean right, child, but if I should agree 
to your proposition, you would be more bother than you were 
worth; don't you see you would, you goose? 

Kate. At first I might until I learned your way. But that 
would not be long; at least let me try. 

Mr. G. Well, some time when 1 have plenty of time, 
perhaps, I will see! (Sits at desk^ R.) 

Kate. You only say that to get rid of me. Is there no 
way I can induce you? 

Mr. G. Ko, no. l!^'ow do not annoy me any more. 
Writes hicsily.) 

(Enter Mrs. Grovenor, l. tj. e.) 

Mrs. G. (l.). Ah, Kate, you here? I would like to speak 
to your father alone a moment, my dear. 

Kate. Very well, mother. (Aside.) Poor father so worn 
and harassed. I know I could lighten his labors. "Why is he 
so obstinate? (ExitT.. r. e.) 

Mr. G. (without looking at her). "Well, Mrs. Grovenor, what 
is it — money? You can't have it. 

Mrs. G. Not for myself. But Eugene is in great distress. 
He says he must have five hundred dollars at once, and goes 
on in a way that is frightful. 

M.n.G. (looking over shoulder). Five hundred dollars! Do 
you see that note, due next week and not a cent raised to pay it 
with? Do you see these bills? Go back and teach your son 
to earn his money. 

Mrs. G. (putting handkerchief to eyes). Oh, would I not if 
I could! But alas! I am helpless and Eugene is going to 
ruin ! 

Mn. G. (writing). There, do not snivel. You have an easy 
time enough. So spare a man at least your everlasting whim- 
pering! 

Mrs. G. An easy time? Bound, fettered, helpless, is that 
easy? 

Mr. G. {turning in his chair and staring at her). You are 
in an extraordinary mood to-day, Mrs. Grovenor! Bound, 
fettered — clothed, fed, given all the Juxuries of life without 
lifting your own white hands, you mean. Helpless? To raise 
five hundred dollars to pay Eugene's — gambling — debts — 
doubtless. "Who has been talking such stuff to you? Kate? 

Mrs. G. Sneer if you will, but it is true that of Kate I have 



LORDS OF CREATION. ^5 

learned to think upon things I never did before, and to be- 
lieve that, had I been differently educated, had my life been 
broadened instead of narrowed, had I been taught to be in- 
dependent, and to make my matrimonial choice from love 
alone, I might have been a better mother to my daughters, 
and guided the steps of my son away from ruin and dishonor. 
(^Exit, li. tr. K.) 

Mr. G. (staring after her}. Have all the women gone 
crazy? I have been married twenty-five years and I never 
knew my wife to speak in tliat way before. It 's all Kate's 
fault! I must forbid this radical talk or my household will 
be utterly demoralized. But she was right in saying that 
Eugene is going to ruin. This constant struggle with money 
matters has given me no time to attend to my son, and now, 
what shall be done? (Bises and walks hack and forth.) 

(Enter Eugene, l. u. e.) . 

EUG. Father! 

Me. G. Ah! have you come to tell me what you mean by 
your disgraceful conduct, sir? 

EuG. Disgraceful conduct? You are talking in enigmas 
to me; I 'm all right. I have been a little jolly sometimes, to 
be sure, but that is no more than all the boys are. You had 
your fun when you were young, I suppose, so why should n't I? 

Mr. G. How dare you, boy, insinuate that I — 

EuG. Ah! come, come, father, you know you wasn't a 
milk-sop any more than I am. It 's all very well for the girls, 
but it won't do for us men, you know. So, now, let me have 
that five hundred, that 's a good old dad. 

Mr. G. Five hundred dollars! Do you know that I am 
on the verge of ruin? 

EuG. The deuce you are ! 

Mr. G. J^othing but a steady hand will save me. While I 
am struggling with" all my might — sick enough to be in bed 
— to pull through, -jou all, not content with being dead 
weights on my shoulders, run into extravagance and profli- 
gacy. (Takes bill from desk.) The bill for my daughter 
Alice's last ball dress is here, $500. Here are two of your 
champagne bills, $100. I tell you this must be stopped. Your 
debauchery must be stopped. You have not the strength of 
mind to go through profligacy and come out solvent; if you 
had Kate's brains you might, but you have not; so I tell you 
this must be stopped, or you will have the pleasure of sowing 
the remainder of your wild oats in a pauper's back yard, if 
you do not fill a drunkard's gravel (Exit, R. 1 E.) 



26 LORDS OF CREATION. 

Efg. By Jovel he means it every word! I never saw 
him so worked up before! And to say I, a man, had not so 
much strength of mind as Kate, he must be crazy! But what 
a fix I am in! I never dreamed but I could get the money 
without any trouble before the time to take up the note came, 
and if I cannot — great heavens! what I did was a crime, a 
State prison offence! State prison? Bah! the idea is ab- 
surd, I shall get the money some way. I will not tliink of it. 
It annoys me, too, to have Lizzie under the same roof. I have 
avoided her so far, but — oh! I will go and get a glass of 
whiskey and forget it all. 

(Enter Iazzte, l. u. e. She gives a startled exclamation.) 

EuG. Lizzie! 

Liz. You! 

EtTG. "What are you doing here? 

Liz. (up L.). I came to look for Miss Kate; theysaid she 
was in the library. Heaven knows I would not have come 
had I known you were here ! 

EuG. Now, Lizzie, what is the use of making such a fuss 
about nothing? Because we had a jolly little flirtation once, it 
is no reason why we should go into heroics now, is it? Come, 
let us be friends, Lizzie. 

Liz. (coming down l..). Friends with you, who broke my 
heart? 

EuG. Konsense! broken hearts went out of fashion years 
ago. There, forgive me, Lizzie, but what is the use of taking 
things so seriously? Life was never made to be taken seri- 
ously. 

Liz! Perhaps not for you, but for those who- have hearts 
life is indeed serious. 

ExJG. I know it 's a way women have to make themselves 
miserable, if they can. Now be sensible. Suppose we were 
aAvful spoons once; it was very pleasant while it lasted, but, 
of course, it could not last forever. 

Liz. And why? 

EuG. Why? Do summer flirtations ever last? Certainly 
not. 

Liz. But you said you never could be happy without me, 
that some day I should be your wife. 

EuG. By Jove! was 1 so far gone as all that? Well, I did 
like you amazingly, Lizzie, but, of course, that was mere 
talk. 

Liz. (looking at him earnestly and m,oving towards him). 
You did not mean it when you asked me to be your wife? 



LORDS OF CREATION. 27 

EuG. Of course not, and I did not suppose you thought I 
did. 

Liz. (c.)' And you call yourself a man, you who thus 
trifled with the heart of an innocent girl who loved you! 
Then if you are a type of a man, 1 thank heaven I am a 
woman. 

EuG. Now, Lizzie, don't get mad. I did not mean any 
harm, 'pon my word I did n't. {Aside.) By Jove, I believe I 
did treat the little girl confounded mean. 

Liz. I loved not you^ but the man I dreamed you were. 
You I despise. 

EuG. Lizzie, I am sorry it ever happened. You see, I am 
a thoughtless kind of a fellow. I — I — have done a great 
many things I ought not. (Tries to take her hand.) 

Liz (c, repulsing him). Then cultivate a different dispo- 
sition irf amends for the past and to save yourself from ruin, 
to which thoughtlessness is too often a guide. {Goes up. ii.) 

EuG. (l.). 'Pon my word, I — I believe I will try. 

{Enter Mr. Grovenor,r. 1 e., hastily .,with paper clutched 
in his hand.) 

Mr. G. This — this is a forgery, and you, Eugene, do 
you — do you know — was it — can it have been you? 

EuG. (l., aside). Heaven! that note to-day! I thought it 
was to-morrow. What shall I do? 

Mr. G. (c). Answer and contradict if you can the guilt I 
see in your face. 

EuG. Father, forgive me. It was a debt of honor and I 
hoped to be able to pay the note before it came due. I — 

Mr. G. Then it was you, my son. My curse upon you, 
ungrateful and miserable son. Go — to a jirison. I will have 
no mercy on you. 

(Lizzie screams and comes down R.) 

EuG. Oh! a prison! {Staggers to R., and falls into chair. 
Lizzie leans over him.) 

Mr. G. Yes, a prison, and rot there. You have ruined 
me ; do you hear, ruined me ! What have I done that I should 
be the father of a son like this? A forger and a — {Staggers.) 
Ah, my head! how it burns! What was I sajdng? Mercy! 
I will have no mercy! Where is Kate? {Rings hell over desk 
furiously.) Yes, ruined! ruined! 

{Enter Mrs. Grovenor and Alice, l. tj. e.) 

Alice (l. c). Eather, what is the matter? 

Mrs. G. (l.). What can 1 do? Are you ill? Speak to me. 



28 LORDS OF CREATION. 

Mk. G. (raving). Yes, you have ruined me. (Enter 
Kate, l. it. e.) Who will pay these bills ? I am ill, dying, 
dishonored ; no one will straighten out my affairs. My son 
— no. I have no son. I — who will, who can help, save me? 
(Falls, c. Kate comes down L. c, kneels and puts her arms 
around him.) 

Kate. Your daughter , father! (Slow music.) 

Tableau. 

Etjgene in chair. Lizzie tending over him^ R. Mr. 
Grovenor on floor. Kate kneeling beside Mm, c. Alice 
weeping, with arms around her mother, L. 



ACT III. 



Scene. — Same as First Act. Mrs. Grovenor, sitting 
ON SOFA, r. Alice, chaiIi, l. Dr. Endicott, r.', at 

TABLE, discovered. 

Mrs. G. Thank heaven, my hxisband is in his right mind 
once more, and after heaven we must thank you, doctor. 

Dr. E. 1 have done all I could, and I am happy to have 
been so successful. 

Mrs. G. But since he has recovered his senses, his busi^ 
ness affairs are worrying him. Would it not be better to 
explain everything? 

Dr. E. Yes, I think it will do to speak to-day, and, as a 
change of scene will be beneficial, get him up in his easy- 
chair and out here, if possible. 

Mrs. G. And Eugene, that unhappy boy. 

Dr. E. I doubt not this experience Avill be the needed 
one to arouse him to better things. You had best leave him 
to Kate. 

Mrs. G. Yes, I suppose so. Alas I I fear I have been 
much to blanle for what has happened. I was too ignorant 
and helpless to be a wise mother. Dear Kate, what should 
we have done without her? (Eising.) But I must now go to 
my husband, who needs me every moment. I will follow 
your directions, doctor. (Exit, L. 2 E.) 

Dr. E. I am sorry to see you looking pale, Miss Alice, 
I hope you are not going to be ill also? 

Alice. Oh, no! I have been anxious about father. 

Dr. E. But now all occasion for anxiety has passed. 

Alice. Yes, and now 1 am to confess the truth somewhat 
out of sorts with myself. 

Dr. E. That is unfortunate, as we cannot easily get away 
from ourselves. 

Alice. Too true. 

(Enter Doughlass, c ") 

J3ouG. (coming L. of table). Aw — good afternoon, doctor. 
I thought I would come to take you out to wide, Alice. 



30 LORDS OP CREATION. 

Alice (pettishly). Why, you have been here once to-day. 

Doug. Aw — yes — you cannot complain that I am not 
devoted, you know I 

Alice (aside). I wish I could. (Aloud.) Well, I sup- 
pose I may as well go out to ride as anything else. (Bisiug.) 

Doug. That is right; get your hat and we will go at once. 
(Alice, exit, l. 2 e.) You see I like to have her go out 
to wide, for it makes the fellows all envy me, you know. 
Alice is a devilish handsome girl, now, is n't she, doctor? 

Dr. E. Very handsome indeed. 

Doug. Yes — aw — and it 's weally wough on a fellow, you 
know, to have to pay his attentions in a lunatic asylum. 

Dr. E'. A lunatic asylum I 

Doug. Aw — yes — that is all I could think of whenever 
I have come here for the last two weeks, what with the old 
man waving wound, Eugene moping and tearing his hair, 
and Miss Kate having everything all her own way. 

Dr. E. Her father has cause to be thankful that his 
daughter does have everything her own way, at last. (Rises.) 

Doug. You surprise me. Aw — I have no doubt my — 
aw — future sister-in-law is a very smart woman, you know, 
but you see a fellow is afwaid of these smart women. 

(Enter Alice, l. 2 e., with hat, etc.) 

Alice. Yes, it makes things too unequal, no doubt. 

Doug. Aw — pwecisely. (Aside.) What the deuce does 
she mean? (A loud.) Aw — if you are weady, my dear, we 
will bid the doctor good by. 

Alice. Ah, yes. We will go. (Aside, as they go up.) I 
will teach him something about a woman's smartness after 
we are married. (Exit with Doughlass, c.) 

Dr. E. (r., looking after them). Poor foolish couple! I 
pity you both. She is maaying him for his money, and he her 
for her good looks. And good looks fade, and money is pow- 
erless to satisfy the cravings of the heart, and then, what? 
(Enter Jim, c.) Well, Jim? 

Jim. If you please, sir, will jou want the carriage? 

Dr. E. l^ot yet. By the by, Jim, have you fixed every- 
thing all right with Jennie? 

Jim. Not — not exactly, sir. To tell the truth (comes 
down L.), she has been going on worse than ever since the 
master has been sick, and Miss Kate has been, as it were, 
the head of the family. " There 's a woman for you! " says 
Jennie, " and do you dare tell me you have any business to 
go and vote and Miss Kate stay at home? " says Jennie, and 



LORDS OF CREATION. 31 

what can I say, sir? It 's not for me to set myself up above 
Miss Kate! 

Dk. E. Poor Jim! Your love matters really do not glide 
along very smoothly. But they never do, Jim (sighing)^ 
they never do. 

Jim. You 're very right, sir. To be in love is the most 
wearing thing I know of. 

Dr. E. I fear Jennie is a sad tease. 

Jim. Tease, sir! Why, she even teases me in my dreams! 

Dn. E. Then if she makes you so unhappy, why not give 
up all thoughts of her, and — 

Jim. Give up all thoughts of Jennie! Never, sir! Why, I 
had rather be made that miserable that I am reduced to walk- 
ing about in my bones than give up Jennie. No, sir! It 's a 
curious fact. {Enter Jennie, c.) A strange weakness in 
the composition of a man is that the more unhappy a woman 
makes him the better he likes her! 

Jen". (coming down, c). You don't say so! 

Jim. Gracious Peter! I have done it now! 

Jen. Yes, you are caught in a confession of great weak- 
ness! 

Jim. I — I — take it all back. 

Jen. You can't; it's boarded. 

Dr. E. Eight, Jennie, But what is this I hear about 
you? 

Jen. (confused). About me, sir? 

Dr. E. Yes, about your great aversion to our unfortunate 
sex? 

Jen. Lor, sir, I don't know. I suppose Jim has been 
telling you some nonsense or other! (Turns and makes face 
ai Jim) 

Jim. No, I have n't, Jennie, upon my soul I have n't. I 
only told him what you said about a man being inferior to a 
woman, that 's all, 

Jen. Oh! that was all, was iL? Well, Mr. Jim, you are a 
smart young man, you are! And besides, I never said any- 
thing of the kind The fact is, doctor, I expressed my senti- 
ments to him, that's all. 

Dr. E. And may I inquire what those sentiments are? 

Jen. Oh! it 's only that I don't believe in getting married 
and being made a slave of and perhaps beat and told you 
don't know anything because you are a woman: those are 
the sentiments he objects to, sir. 

Jim. Good gracious. Jennie! Did I ever do any such 
thing? 



32 LORDS OF CREATION. 

Jek. Of course not; you never had a chance. 

Dr. E. But really, my good girl, I do not believe you think 
in your heart quite so meanly of Jim as your words would 
signify. In your zeal for your own sex, do not be unjust to 
ours, for remember that is the very thing you condemn in 
us. (Exit; c.) 

Jen. (half crying). Well, Jim, I don't see what on earth 
you wanted to go and make me out so horiid to the doctor 
for. Just because I think a good deal of his opinion, I sup- 
pose. 

Jim. There, now! oh, dear! how you do fly off, to be sure. 
Make you out horrid? I, who would think you was perfect 
if you would only let up a little once in a while on me about 
your rights. 

Jen. Yes, and you went and made the doctor think that 
I not only wanted my rights, which I do, but yours, too, 
which I don't. 

Jim. You don't? I'm sure I thought you did. 

Jen. (stampivgjoot). Oh! is there anything in the world 
so stupid as a man? 

Jim. Stupid! I have a good mind to get mad. 

Jen. (turning her hack to him). I would if I were you. 

Jim. Well, I — (Goes up c. , then returns ) No, I can't get 
mad with you, Jennie. But won't you please just remember 
how you went on aboiitlhe tyranny of the sex, and all that 
sort of thing, and then don't blnme me if I Ihought you 
wanted to tryannize a little. I am sure that was n't stupid. 

Jen. It was absurd, then. I only want my share, that's 
all. 

Jim. Is that all? Oh, Jennie (gets down on l-nees), if you 
will only marry me, you shall have your share, yes, and a 
little more. 

•Ien. My share of being trampled on, do you mean? 

Jim. Who said anything about being trampled on? Well, 
your share of trampling, it you must have it. 

Jen. I think it is just awful of you to say that I am a 
tyrant. 

Jim ( jumping xip). Good gracious, there you go again! 
How you do fliy off. When did I ever say any such thing? 

Jen. Well, Jim, supposing — just supposing, you know — 
that I should make up my mind to marry you — 

Jim. Oh, Jennie! If you only would. The very idea 
makes me so happy, I — I could jump way to the celling. 
(Jlolds out arms to emhrace her, she runs under them.) 



LOKDS OF CREATION. 30f' 

Jen. Could you? Well, don't be in too much of a hurry, 
because it might hurt you when you came down, for you 
know I was only supposing. 

Jim. Jennie, do you want to see me pine to a shadow and 
blow away with love? I can't stand this sort of thing any 
longer. 1 will go away to California, that 's what I will do! 

Jen. (coquetlishly). But, Jim, don't you think you had 
better wait until I get through supposing? 

Jim. Wait! I will wait until I am bald if you will only 
promise to have me then. 

Jen. Dear me, I shouldn't want you then. In fact, I 
couldn't think of having you any way, if I thought j'ou would 
ever be bald! 

Jim (very fast). Oh, I never shall; no, indeed, we are 
not a bald family, there never was a bald man in it, the 
babies all are born with thick heads of hair. One of the family 
was scalped once, to be sure, but it was accidental, and his 
hair all grew out again in a few days. Look at mine. (Sticks 
it up.) 

Jen. (screams). Oh, don't! Nature has made you homely 
enough without your trying to help her. 

Jim. But I only wanted to settle this bald question for- 
ever. And now, Jennie, won't you go on supposing? 

Jen. Well, supposing I should marry you some time, 
would you find a minister who was willing to leave " obey " 
out of the marriage service? 

Jim. If there is one in America I '11 find him. For I 
shouldn't want to make you swear to a lie, Jennie. 

Jen. And then would you respect my rights and acknowl- 
edge equal rights for both of us? 

Jim. Of course, your rights and equal rights, — princi- 
pally your rights. 

Jen. Well, then, perhaps — but wait a moment; if there 
should ever be a balance over equal rights, it must come on 
my side, must it not? Because a man is apt to misuse his 
power, you know. 

Jim (going near her). You shall have all the balances. 

Jen. (edging away). I don't know but you are almost too 
"Willing. 

Jim, N'ow she is off on another tack. What can a 
man do? 

Jen, However, I can get a divorce if you don't keep your 
word, so, as you are a pretty good fellow, Jim, I think I will 
condescend to try you as a husband. 



84 LORDS OF CREATION. 

Jim. Hurrah! (Embraces her.) But about this conde- 
scending — 

Jen. That is one of the balances, Jim. 

Jim. Oh, welll (Kisses her and is about to repeat when 
she stops him.) 

Jen. No, Jim. Equal rights. I must give you half, you 
know. (Kisses him and runs off, c.) 

Jim Equal rights ain't so bad, after all. (Goes after Jen- 
nie and runs against Eugene, who enters moodily, c.) I beg 
pardon, sir, but I am so equal — happy. (Exit, c.) 

Ktjg. What is the matter with Jim? Happy! Well, I am 
glad some one is. I never shall be again. This is what my 
cursed easy disposition has brought me to. I have ruined 
myself and almost killed my father. If it was not for Kate 
I would blow my brains out — if I have any. (Sits deject- 
edly, R.) 

(Enter Lizzie, c.) 

Liz. Eugene ! 

EuG. Lizzie, is it you? (Aside.) I am ashamed to look 
her in the face. 

Liz. 1 have been trying to see you ever since that 
— that trouble, but I never have been able to find you 
alone. I thought perhaps it might be some little comfort to 
you to know that I sympathized with and pitied you, and that 
I had faith enough in you to believe you would redeem the 
past. 

EuG. (starting up). These words to me from you? Oh, 
Lizzie, I am a miserable wretch. 

Liz. You have been gay, careless, reckless, but oh, I can- 
not believe you wholly bad. My share in your thoughtless 
past I freely forgive. I wanted to tell you this, and say I 
hope in the future to see you worthy the esteem of every one. 

EuG. I dare not hope that, Lizzie. 

Liz. But you will try? 

EuG. Oh, yes! I shall try. But my father, — he will 
surely never forgive me, will banish me from his house. 

Liz. Not if you tell him how penitent you are. 

EuG. He has not a heart like yours, Lizzie. 

Liz. But Kate will intercede for you. 

EuQ. Kate, heaven bless her, I know she will, WTiat 
has she not done for me already? And to think that I once 
set myself up as so far above her, and plumed myself on 
being a lord of creation, — I, a poor, weak fool, not worthy 
to touch the hem of her garment. 



LORDS OF CRKATION. 35 

Liz. Those words i^rove to me that you are no longer the 
Eugene you were. 

EuG. I hope, I trust not. As you say, I did not mean 
to be really bad. I was inexperienced, thoughtless, eager for 
the pleasures of life, and I never stopped to think of conse- 
quences. How could you have loved me — for you did love 
me once, Lizzie? 

Liz. It was your best side you showed me, Eugene. 

EuG. At first, yes; but I showed you my worst after- 
wards. 

Liz. The flaws in her idol cannot kill a woman's love. 

EuG. Lizzie, I did not mean to break your heart. Do 
you believe me? 

Liz. I do; and, as I said, forgive you freely. 

EuG. Eor the first time I begin to realize the happiness 
that might have been mine, the value of the heart 1 threw 
away. 

Liz. The heart that has always been yours, Eugene. 

'EvG. (taking her ha7id). Minel Mine nowl What! Do 
you mean to say that you love me now, ruined and disgraced 
as I am, soon perhaps to be driven from my father's door, 
and go forth into the world penniless and alone? 

Liz. How little you know of woman's love! Think you it 
endures only through the bright summer days of sunshine? 
No, Eugene. In the time of darkness and sorrow a woman's 
love never fails. 

Etjg. And would you share my fate wow? 

Liz. "Would I? Oh, how gladly! But you forget, I am 
a poor girl, a seamstress in your mother's house, and — 

EuG. I would indeed be unworthy of the blessing of your 
love should I think of that. Lizzie, your love shall raise me 
from the depths into which I have fallen. (Embraces her as 
KlATE enters, c.) 

Kate. Eugene! Lizzie! 

EuG. (r. c). Do not misapprehend, Kate. Let me ex- 
plain before you judge, 

Kate (coming down L.). Go on. 

Liz. (aside, n.). Dare I hope she will approve ? 

EuG. Lizzie and I met — a year ago! 

Kate. What! is it possible! 

Liz. Do you not remember, I told you all the first day I 
came to your house? 

Kate. What do you say? Do you mean (staggers hack 
against table for support) — can it be that it was to him — to 
Eugene that you then referred? 



36 LORDS OF CREATION. 

Liz. To whom else? It was of course Eugene. 

Kate. Eugene! Oh, what a cruel mistake! Oh, what a 
wrong I have done a noble man! Heaven forgive me! 

EuG. {going to her). Dear Kate, what is the matter? what 
do you mean? 

Kate. Do not ask me; dear, forget what I have said. It 
is all right now — yes ! all right now ! Eugene — Lizzie — you 
do not need tell me anymore. I understand {joins their 
hands) ; 1 am very glad, and now will you please leave me? I 
— I would like to be alone. 

Liz. You are not offended? 

Kate. Ofif ended? no indeed, child. I am sure you have 
both acted for the best. 

EuG. Dear Kate, with the help of my sister and my wife, 
I hope I may one day be what I once thought I was — a man! 
{Exit^c, with Lizzie, who comes hack to kiss Kate, tlun exit.) 

Kate. Can it be true? Has the heavy load that has lain 
on my heart, at the bottom of all the other loads that have 
lain there of late, really gone? Yes — gone — all gone! Will 
he, can he forgive me? I must see him at once! {Rings 
hell.) How could I for a moment mistrust him? 

{Enter Jennie, c.) 

Kate. Please ask Dr. Endieott to come here. 

Jen. Yes 'm. {Aside.) They two would make another 
nice equal-rights couple. {Exit, c.) 

Kate. What shall I say to him? Oh! if they could see me 
tremble, they would no longer call me " strong-minded." 

{Enter Dr. Endicott, c.) 

Dr. E. You sent for me, Kate? At last we meet alone! 

Kate. Yes, I sent for you to say, forgive me! 

Dr. E. Eorgive you! For refusing me an explanation, do 
you mean? 

Kate. For ever having doubted you. Oh! how can I say 
how bitterly I have wronged you? 

Dr. E. Wronged me? and how? Do not fear: tell me 
all. Whatever it may be, it is forgiven. 

Kate. I doubted you. It seems impossible now that I 
could have done so, but I did; circumstances caused me to 
lay the wrong-doing of another at your door. 

Dr. E. If the cloud that has been between us so long has 
gone, I am too thankful to give anything else a second thought. 
So ask me not to forgive you, but rather let me ask you if you 
love me? 



LORDS OF CREATION. 37 

Kate. I love and honor you wilh all my heart. 

Dr. E. As I do you. {Embraces her.) 

Kate. And please heaven our home shall be a happy one, 
if I am strong-minded! 

Dr. E. Because you are strong-minded, dear. And now "we 
must prepare to relieve your father's mind of the anxiety that 
is growing greater every moment. Hark! they are bringing 
him in. 

(Mr. Grovenor is pushed in on chair by Mrs. Grovenor 
antZ Jennie, c. Jennie immediately exits, c. Mrs. Groye- 
Non goes to L.) 

Kate (going r. of him). Dear father, I am so happy to see 
you out of your room once more. 

Mr. G. Thank you, Kate. I — I hope to get back to busi- 
ness again soon. 

Dr. E. (l. of Mb,. G.). Do not give yourself any uneasiness 
about your business. That has gone on well. 

Mr. G. No, no, that cannot be. I remember — 

Dr. E. That you were on the verge of ruin. But the cri- 
sis has passed, and now all is well. 

Mr. G. But — Brown's note. 

Dr. E. Brown has given you three months' time. 

Mr. G. Strange — oh! but Eugene — 

Dr. E. That note has been paid. 

Mr. G. Paid! can it be? But how, who has done all this 
— you, doctor? 

Dr. E. ISTot I, but one nearer and dearer, one more de- 
serving of your thanks — your daughter. (Indicates Kate to 
him, who is leaning over his chair.) 

Mr. G. What, my daughter! You, Kate, have done this? 

Kate (coming around to his side, R.). Yes, dear father, my 
woman's wit has been equal to the occasion. I saw Brown 
myself. I had saved up a little money for the purpose of some 
day using in studying art, and with that I settled Eugene's 
debts, i have taken your place in the business as far as with 
my limited knowledge I could. So do not worry any more, 
dear father. 

Mr. G. Ah! my daughter, how foolish, how blind I have 
been! But the scales have fallen from my eyes at last, and I 
thank God for the great gift of my daughter. (Embraces 
Kate.) 

(.JJnier Eugene and Lizzie, c. Eugene goes and kneels 
before Mr. Grovenor. Lizzie sto2JS up stage.) 



38 LORDS OF CREATION. 

EuG. Father, can you overlook what has passed and let 
me try once more? 

Mr. G. My boy, I have erred too much myself to con- 
demn you. We will both redeem the past. {Lays hand on 
his head.) 

EuG. Father, your confidence will not, shall not be mis- 
placed. 

Kate (bringing down Lizzie, r.). And now, father, give 
your blessing, will you not, on his union with one who has 
long loved him, and who will help him to keep his word? 

Mr. G. What! He wishes to marry Lizzie! 

Kate. Yes, father, and she will make him a good wife. 

Mr. G. (taking Lizzie's hand). Let me look at you. You 
have a good, sweet face, child. Away with all false ideas of 
caste. Help my son to overcome his past errors and I will 
love you always. (Lizzie kneels at Eugene's side and he 
joins their hands.) 

Eug. (rising and tahing Lizzie l. to Mrs. Grovenor). 
And you, mother, do you consent? 

Mrs. G. I will confess that once I might have said no, 
but now — now — now that I realize how false have been so 
many of my ideas. I dare trust myself only to say, may you 
be happy. (Goes hack of Mr. Grovenor' s chair, leaning 
over it.) 

(Enter Doughlass and Alice, followed hy Jim and Jen- 
nie, c.) 

Doug. (r.). Aw — quite a family gathering, T declare. 

Alice. We are just in time to complete the circle. 

Dr. E. (r. of Mr. Grovenor's chair with Kate). And 
now, Mr. Grovenor, will you give your blessing? For Kate 
has promised to be my wife. 

Mrs. G. My dear 'Kate. 

Alice. Can it be? 

Doug, (aside). Going to ma wwy the strong-minded one? 
Good gracious! 

Mr. G. Doctor, you have won a pearl of great price, but 
you are worthy of it. Heaven bless you both. 

Alice (aside). My ideas have been all wrong, but my fate 
IS fixed now. 

Jim (coming down L. with Jennie). If you please, now, 
there is so much being said about getting married, I would 
like to mention that Jennie and I are going to get married, too. 

Jen, On equal rights. 

Dr. E. Equal rights to all. 



LORDS OF CREATION. 39 

Kate. And I wish to every woman in the land might come 
equal rights, independence, and last, but not least, love. 

Music, curtain. 

Alice, Doughlass, r. . Kate, Dr. Endicott, r. c. ; 
Mr. Grovenor m chair c; Mrs. Grovenor at back of 
chair; Eugene, Lizzie, l. c; Jim, Jennie, l. 



Always Gtt the Best. 60 of the Choicest seieolions in the 



No.1 



Reading Club and Handy Speaker. 

Edited by Oeoboe K. Bakbr. 

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CONTENTS. 



The Red Jacket .... 
Old Age ...... 

tfabmoud 

The Closet Scene from " Hatblet " 
How be eaved St. Micbael's . 

Bamson 

Ibe Story of tbe Bad Little Boy who 

didn't come to Grief. 
Ur. Caudle and his Second Wife . 

Tauler 

The Doorstep 

Old Farmer Gray gets photographed 
Mr. O'Gallagber's Three Koads to 

Learning .... 
The Jester's Sermon . 
•' The Boofer Lady " 
Defiance of Harold the Dauntless 
Battle Hymn .... 
The Story of tbe Faithful Soul 
" Curfew must not ring To-Night 
The Showman's Courtship . 
How Terry saved his Bacon . 
Tbe Senator's Pledge . . 
Overthrow of Belsbazzar . 
The Hour of Prayer . . 
The Squire's Story . . . 
The Happiest Couple . • 

OoUiva 

Farmer Bent's Sbeep-Washing 
The Deutsch Maud Muller . 
Charles Sumner ... 
Tbe Bricklayers . * . 
A Stranger in the Pew . . 
The Mistletoe-Bough . . 
The Puzzled Census-Taker . 
The Voices at the Throne . 
Hans Breitmann's Party . . 
Rob Roy MacGregor . . 
Der Drummer .... 
Tbe Yankee and the Dutchman's Dog 
Popping tbe Question 
Tbe Bumpkin's Courtship 
The Happy Life 
At the Soldiers' Graves . 



Nobody there .... 
The Factory-Girl's Diary 
In the Tunnel . . . • 
" Jones "...*• 
The Whistler . . • • 
"Good and Better" . . 
Jakie on Watermelon Pickle 
The Old Metbodist'e Testimony 

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Leigh Sunt. 
Aldine. 

Mark Twain. 

Douglas Jerrol^t FUrttidt SmimtfL 

Whittier. 

E. C. Stedman. 

John U. Yatea. 

Capt. Marryat. 

Walter Thornbury. 

Dickens's " Mutual JFrimUL* 

Scott. 

Korner. 

Adelaide Procter. 

Rosa Ilartwick Thorp*. 

Artemus Ward, 

Charles Sumner. 
Barry CorntoalU 
Mrs. Ilemans, 
John Fhcenix. 
Sheridan. 
Tennyson. 

Carl Pretzel. 
Carl Schurx. 
G. H. Barnes, 
Harper's Mag. 
Bayley. 
J. G. Saxe. 
I. Westwood. 
Charles G. LelamA 
Walter Scoti. 
Charles F. Adams. 



Sir Henry WoUm^ 
Robert Collytr, 
Anonymous. 
Morton. 



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CONTENTS. 
The Rescue . . . . 
The Pickwickians on Ice . . 

A Picture 

Tobe"* Monuu^ent 

The Two Anchors . 

The Old Ways and the Neyr . 

By the Alma River . 

Trial Scene from " Merchant of Venice 

The Sisters .... 

B'arm-Yard Song . 

The Fortune-Hunter 

Curing a Cold .... 

In the Bottom Drawer 

Two Irish Idyla . . • 

Over the Ri^er .... 

The Modest Cousin . 

Biddy's Troubles . . 

The Man with a Cold in his Head 

Harry and I . . . . 

The Shadow on the Wall 

The Little Puzzler . 

A Traveller's Evening Song . 

Calling a Boy in the Morning . 

Cooking and Courting 

A Tragical Tale of the Tropica 

The Paddock Ebns ... 

The Bobolink .... 

Toothache .... 

The Opening of the Piano . 

I^ess On .... 

The Beauty of Youth . . 

Queen Mab .... 

A Militia General . . . 

*.ddress of Spottycuf; 

Our Visitor, and what he came for 

* What's the Matter with that No*e ? " . . Our Fat Contribvi», 

Workers and Thinkers Buskin. 

fhe Last Ride Ji^ora Per^. 



Baby Atlas 
Possession 
fhere is no Death 
The Learned Negro 
iTearer, my God, to Thee 
d Short Sermon 

foin' Home To-day 
he Broken Pitcher , 
A Baby's Soliloquy 
the Double Sacrifice 
Sunday Morning 
The Quaker Meeting 



John Brownjohn, 

Dickens. 

Mrs. H. A. JBinghOi^ 

Elisabeth Kilham, 

B. H. Stoddard. 

John H. Yates. 

Miss Muloch. 

Shakspeare. 

John Q. Whittier. 

John G. Saxe. 
Mark Twain. 

Alfred Perceval CfrtHt^ 

Priest. 

Sheridan Knowlea. 



Sarah M. B. PML 
Mrs. Hemana. 

Tom to Ned. 

B. E. Wool/ 
Aldine. 

Atlantic ifonthtg. 
Park Benjamin, 
Theodore Parker. 
Borneo and JulieL 
Thomas Corwm. 



Owen Meredith. 

Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, 

Congregationalist. 

Sarah F. Adams. 

Not by a Hard.Shelt Bm ' 

W.M. Cafleton. 

Anonymrui 

AHhtur William AusHn 
Georg€ A . Baker, jv,n. 
Samuel . "iover. 



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Selections in the 

Reading Club and Handy Speaker. 

Edited by Gkobqb M. Bakbb. 
Price, cloth, SO cents; paper, IS cents. 

CONTENTS. 

Fra Giacomo Robert Buchanan. 

Bob Cratchit's Christmas-Dinner . . Dickens. 

The First Snow-Fall James Russell Lowell, 

The Countess and the Serf . . . , J. Sheridan Knowles, 

Aurelia's Unfortunate Young Man . • Mark Twain. 

Losses Francis Browne. 

Mad Luce , . All the Year Round. 

The Solemn Book-Agent .... Detroit Free Press. 

What the Old Man said .... Alice Robbins. 

Bone and Sinew and Brain . . . John Boyle O'Reilly. 

Pat and the Oysters 

Twilight . Spanish Gypsy. 

The Singer Alice Williams. 

Speech of the Hon Per-vese Pe^bodj" on 

the Acquisition of Cuba ... 

Bunker Hill George IT. Calvert. 

Two Births ....... Charles J. Sprague. 

The Old Fogy Man ..... 

Auction Mad ....... 

The Wedding-Fee R 3T. Streeter. 

Schneider's Tomatoes Charles F. Adams. 

The Wolves J. T. Trowbridge. 

The Ballad of the Oystermap ... Oliver Wendell BolmeSt 
The Deck-Hand and the Mul" . . 

A Lay of Real Life Tom Hood. 

Riding Down I^ora Perry. 

The Minute-men of '75 .... George William Gurtia. 

Uncle Reuben's Baptism . . ... Vicksburg Herald. 

How Persimmons took Cah oh der B^h> . St. Nicholas. 

The Evils of Ignorance .... Horace Mann. 

Bcenes from the School of Reform . . Thomas Morion. 

Ambition Benry Clay. 

The Victories of Peace . . . . Charles Sumner. 

For Love 

The Flower-Mission, junior . . . Farl Marble. 

The Sons of New England .... Hon. George B. Loring. 

The Jonesvjlle Singin' Quire . . . My Opinions and Betsey SKUtm 

The Last Tilt Henn; B. Hirst. 

The Burial of the Dane .... Henry Howard BrowneU* 

Appeal in Behalf of American Liberty . Story 

The Church of the Best Licks . . . Fdward Eggleaton. 

The Roman Soldier. Destruction of Her- > j*j,„„„/^,o 

culaneum j ■^'''^erstoiie. 

Temperance Wendell PSiUips, 

Roast Pig. A Bit of Lamb .... Charles Lamb. 

Similia Similibus ...... 

Two Loves and a Life . . . . . William Su'>">fsr. 

The Recantation of Galileo .... Francis E. ^xale*^k» 

Mosquitoes K. K. 

The Law of Kindness; or. The Old Wo- 1 ^^./ ^ .^^ 

man's Railway Signal . . . | 

Ode George SennoU. 

ICr. Stiver's Horae The Danbimt JTewa Mmt* 




IT you are loeking for Something New, you will HM R amoni 
60 of the Choicest Selections in the 

Reading Olub and Handy Speaker 

Edited by Geoegb M. Ba^eb. 
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The Tramp ... 
Joan of Arc . . . 
Pecoration . . . 
^Minot's Ledge . 
Scene from " The Hunchback 
Widder Green's Last Words 
Vhe Cane-Bottomed Chair 
The House-Top Saint 

Tom 

The Song of the Dying . 

My Neighbor's Baby 

" The Paper Don't Say " 

The Post-Boy . 

What is a Minority ? . 

Robert of Lincoln , . 

Daddy Worthless . . 

Zenobia's Defence . . 

William Tell . 

Mary Maloney's Philosophy 

Custer's Last Charge 

Mother's Fool . 

The Little Black Eyed Rebel 

•' The Palace o' the King " 

Grandfather 

" Business " in Mississippi 

The Indian's Claim . 

The Battle-Flag of Sigurd 

The Way Astors are Made 

Mr. Watkins celebrates . 

The Palmetto and the Pine 

Pip's Fight 

Cuddle Doon . . . 

The Hot Roasted Chestaut 

8t. John the Aged . . 

The Bell of Atri 

Mr. O'Hoolahan's Mistake 

The Little Hero 

The Village Sewing-Society 

He Giveth His Beloved Sleep 

The Dignity of Labor . 

A Little Shoe . 

»' The Penny Ye Meant tp Qi'( 

A Question 

The Cobbler's Secret . 

The Lost Cats . . . 

The Pride of Battery B , 

Leedle Yawcob Strauss . 

Two Portraits . 

Elder Sniffles' Courtship 

Goin' Somewhere . 



George M. Baker. 
De Quincey. 
T. W. ITigginson. 
Fit^ames O'Brien. 
Sheridan Know lea. 

Thackeray. 

Mrs. J. D. Chaplin, 

Constance Fenimore WoolaoH 



Mrs. C. J. Despard. 

J. B. Gough. 

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Lizzie W. Champney, 

William Ware. 

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Frederick Whittaker, 

Will Carleton. 
William Mitchell. 
Theodore Parker. 
Chronicle, Augusta, Gch 
Everett. 

J. M. Bailey. 

Detroit Press. 

Mrs. Virginia L. French^ 

Dickens. 

Alexander Anderson, 

J. Ed. Milliken, 



Zong/ellow, 



Rev. Netvman HalL 
H.H. 



F. H. Oassaway. 
Charles F. Adams. 



M. Quad. 



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Edited by Geokgb M. Bakee 
Price, cloth, 50 cents; pap», IS cents. 

CONTE:ffTS. 



iTie Ballad of Ronald Clare . 

The Scotchman at the Play . 

The Dead Doll 

A. Charge "with Prince Rupert 

An Irish Wake 

The Honest Deacon 

Tact and Talent 

The Two Glasses . 

Whistling in. Heaven 

Noble Revenge 

Dot Baby off Mine. (By permission) 

The Amateur Spelling-Match 

Why Biddy and Pat got Married 

Art-Matters in Indiana . 

Miss Edith helps Things along 

The Flood and the Ark . 

Not Dead, but Risen 

Ballad of a Baker . . . 

Five 

Uncle Remus' Revival Hymn 
A Mysterious Disappearance 
An Indignation-Meeting . 
Something Spilt 
From the Sublime to the Ridiculous 
" 'tis but a Step " 

Scene from " The Marble Heart 
The Seven Ages 

A Watch that " v?anted cleaning, 
(By permission) . 

laired Mothers . . . o 

Oood-by 

*• One of the Boys " 

The Bridge .... 

A Rhine Legend . . . 

The Little Shoes did it . 

Burdock's Goat . • • 

Faithful Little Peter . . 

Blue and Gray . • 

MoUie, or Sadie? 

Butterwick's Weakness . . 

Between the Lines . 

Somebody's Mother . • 

The Ballad of Constance 

Failed " 

The Canteen .... 

A Blessing on the Dance . 

An Exciting Contest . . 

The Last Redoubt . . . 

•' If We Knew "... 

Scene from " London ABSurance 

The Kaiser's Feast ... 

Sideways . . . « • 



Thomes S. Collier. 
" Mansie Wauch." 
Margaret Vandegrifl, 
T. W. Higginson. 



London Atlas. 

Ha/rper's Magazine. 

Charles Fallen ATtams, 
Earl Marble. 
B. H. Stoddard. 

Bret Harte. 



Charles Dickem f^iittmiek Papt99 



Charles Selby. 
Shakspeare. 

J. T. Fields. 



Frank Foxeroft, 



H. W. Longfellom, 
Curtis Ouild. 



William Winter. 

C. G. Halpine (Milts CBttUni. 
Irwin Russell. 

Alfred Austin. 

BvucicauU. 



The Best Yet. 50 Rare Selections. 

6 Reading Club and Handy Speaker. 
Edited by GEOReB M. Baker. 
Price, cloth, SO cents ; paper, 15 cents. 

CONTENTS. 

Count Eberhard's Last Foray Thos, S. Collier. 

ranamy's Prize 

Deaf and Dumb Anna F. JSumham. 

riie Changed Cross 

Virginius to the Roman Army . Elijah Kellogg. 

The Fountain of Youth Hezekiah Butterworth. 

They Met 

Clerical Wit 

Greeley's Ride Mark Twain. 

Der Shoemaker's Poy 

The Sergeant of the Fiftieth 

The Fan Drill Spectator. 

Warning to Woman 

The Cavalry Charge F. A. Durivage. 

Widow Stebbins on Homoeopathy ...... Charles F. Adama. 

The Fight at Lookout E. L. Cary, Jun, 

The Well-Digger John O. Saxe. 

Behind Time Freeman Hunt. 

A Miracle Charles H. Webber. 

Weaving the Web 

The Great Future George F. Boar. 

A Christmas Carol 

" Them Yankee BlanMts " Samuel W. Small. 

Jim Lane's Last Message Sherman D. Hichardiotli 

One Touch of Nature 

A Disturbance in Church Max Adeler. 

The Palmer's Vision J. Q. Holland. 

A " Sweeter Revenge " 

The Farmer's Story David Hill. 

Paddy O'Rafther Samuel Lover. 

The Fireman's Prayer Bussell H. Gonweli. 

Down with the Heathen Chinee ! ifew- York Sun. 

John Chinaman's Protest M. F. J>. 

The Sweet Singer of Michigan 

Ten Years After Kate Putnam Osgood. 

Putty and Varnish Josh Jiillings. 

Nationality Eufus Choate. 

Tacking Ship off Shore Walter Mitchel. 

Immortality Phillips Brooks. 

Mr. Coville ProTes Mathematics J. M. Bailey. 

Blind Ned Irwin Bussell. 

The Benediction Franqois Coppee. 

" Conquered at Last " Maria L. Eve. 

The Ship-Boy's Letter 

An Irish Love-Letter George M. Baker, 

Reserved Power 

Talk about Shooting 

The King's Kiss I^ora Perry. 

Joe's Bespeak 

A Disturbed Parent 

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CONTENTS. 



A Royal Princess . . . . ... . Christina O. Boa$ttH. 

A Reminiscence ... . . . . . , H. B. Hooker, D.f* 

The Lest Hymn Marianne Farmin^hmo^ 

The Fool's Prayer ........ Atlantic, 

The Dead Student Will Carleton, 

Greatest Walk on Record 

Drawing Water 

This Side and That George Macdon^tf-) 

Civil War Anonymous, 

A Modem Sermon 

That Calf Phcebe Carp. 

The New Dixie . . . .... . . , O. L. C. 

The National Game . . . .... . . 

Unple Hellick Dines with his Blaster . . . J.Jt, EggUtkm, 

Msud's Misery 

San Benito . Helen M. Gilbert 

How Banda went over the River . . . . C. C. Coffin. 

The Ladies Marie Twain. 

Two Fishers . Harper's W«eUg, 

Left Alone at Eighty ....... 

" Dashing Rod.'^^Trooper S. Conant Foster, 

Orient Yourself ........ Horace Mann. 

Rhymes at Random . 

The Carpenter's Wooing, and the Sequel . . Tatocob Stnmss, 

A Humorous Dare-Devu BuUoer. 

Hobenlinden ......... CampbeU. 

St. Leon's Toast 

The Patriot Spy ^. Jlf. Finch. 

How Neighbor WUkins got Religion . . . James Berry BensA 

Jim Wolie and the Cat« ...... Mark Twain. 

Pledge to the Dead William Winter. 

A London Bee Story . Quiz. 

A College Widow Acta Columbiana. 

*« He Giveth His Beloved Sleep " . . . , J. G. Huntington, 

Hannibal at the Altar ....... Elijah Kellogg. 

Creeds of the Bells J. W. Bungay. 

The Pomological Society ...... 

Ave Maria CornhUl MagaximM. 

The Singer's Alms 

Family Portraits School for SeemUU, 

The Irish Boy and the FHest 

The Retort 

A Free Seat 

Paddle Tour Own Canoe 

All 's Well that Ends Well 

Jimmy Butler and the Owl Amenymoua. 

A Modem Heroine SUeabeth Ctmi»§$. 

Down Hill with the Brakes Off 9. H. Jessop. 

On the Channel Boat O.L.C. 

The Pin 

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You will^nd boih Wit and Sentiment in the 50 Choice Selections in the 

~ I Eeading-Club and Handy Speaker, 

Edited by George M. Baker. 
I ■ fc^ Price, cloth, SO cents ; paper, 15 cents, 

CONTENTS. . 

The Defence of Lucknow Tennyson. 

Paul Clifford's Defence Bulwer. 

The Outlaw's Yara Michael Lynch. 

Labor is Worship Francis S. Osgood. 

The Legend of the White Hand . . . Lucy Wade Herrick. 

Two Dreams H. H. 

People will Laugh 

" Christianos ad Leones ! " ^ . . . . Francis A. Ditrivage, 

Ballad of the Bell-Tower Margaret J. Preston. 

A Sermon for the Sisters Irwin Russell. 

Mrs. Brown at the Play Arthur Sketchley, 

Dutch Security 

From One Stand-point M. F. Butts. 

The Captive Henry PhUlips, Jr. 

The Peril of the Mines 

Aunt Phillis's Guest ...... Wm. C. Gannett. 

Annie's Ticket 

Along the Line Irtoin Russeli, 

The Divorce Peast 

Tlie Indian Warrior's Defence .... 

The Parmer and the Barrister .... Horace Smith, 

Yankee Courtship 

London Zoological Gardens .... 

Apples — A Comedy ...... BkuikwoocPs Magazine. 

Old Grimes . • A. G. Green. 

Daisy's Faith Joanna H. Mathews. 

Father William P. Southey. 

Parody on " Father William " . . . . Adventures in WondertanA 

The Grave of the Greyhound .... Spencer. 
A New Version of the Parable of the Virgins 

Song of the Mystic Father Ryan. 

The Fast Mail John H. Yates. 

De 'Sperience ob de Reb'rend Quaxjko Strong 

The Patter of the Shingle 

The Girl of the Crisis Walter Smith. 

The Rich Man and the Poor Man . . . Khemnitser. 
A Colored Debating Society .... 

Shiftless Neighbor Ball Mrs, Annie Preston. 

Lanty Leary Samuel Lover. 

The Baron's Last Banquet A. G. Green, 

The Last of the Sarpiats 

The Dilemma . . . . . . . . O.W. Holmes. 

A Brick 

An Evangel 

A Thirsty Boy BurUngton Hawkeye, 

Masked Batteries . . . . . . . " Vanity Verses." 

The Story of the Tiles Golden Age. 

The City Man and Setting Hen .... 

Miss Edith's Modest Request .... Bret Harte. 

The Man with a Bear 

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THE GLOBE DRAMA. 



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1. COUPON BONDS. A Drama in Four Acts. By J. 1. Tkowbbidge. 

Dramatised from the story of that name. Seven male, three female 
characters. Three scenes. Modern costumes. Easily produced. 

2. UNDER A "VEIIj. A Comedietta in One Act. By SiB Randall Roberts, 

Bart. Two male, three female characters. Scene, interior. Double room. 
Time in representation, thirty minutes. 

3. CLcASS DAY. A Farce in One Act. By Dr. Francis A. Harris. Four 

male, three female characters. Scene, interior. Played at Harvard wilh 
great success. 

4. BETTER THAN GOLD. A Drama in Four Acts. By George M. 

Baker. Five male, four female characteis. One interior; same for the 
four acts. 

5. MRS. WAIiTHROP'S BACHEIXJRS. A Comedy in Three Acts. 

Translated and adapted from the German of Benedix. By George M. 
Baker and Willard Small. (" Our Bachelors" and " Mrs. Walthrop's 
Boarders" were translated from the same.) 

6. OUR MUTUAL FRIEND. A Comedy in Four Acts. Dramatised from 

the novel by Charles Dickens. By Harriet R. Shattuck. Four male, 
three female characters. 

7. REBECCA'S TRIUMPH. A Drama in Three Acts. By George M. 

Baker. (For female characters only.) Sixteen characters. Scenes are : 
Act 1, kitchen. Act 2, woods. Act 3, parlor. Written at the request of 
the " D.O.C, Cooking Club," of Chicago, who took "Among the Brtakers " 
as a model. 

8. APPLES. Comedy in One Act from Blackwood's Magazine. One male, two 

female characters. 

9. BABIE. Comedy in Three Acts. Translated from the French of Emilc de 

Najac and Alfred Hennquin, by F. E. Chase. Six male, five female 
characters. 

10. A PERSONAL MATTER. Comedy in One Act. By F. E. Chase. Two 

male, and two female characters. 

11. COMRADES. A Drama in Three Acts. By George M.Baker. Four 

male, three female characters. Scene, interior. Costumes modern. 
Always sucoesBful. 

12. SNOW-B«)UND. A Musical and Dramatic Entertainment. By George M. 

Baker. For three male and one female characters; requires some sceniry, 
hut c m be easily produced. lutroduces songs, recitations, and an original 
Burlesque, "Alonzo the Brave aud the Fair Imogene." Time, two houis. 

13. BON-BONS. A Musical and Dramatic Entertainment. By George M. 

Baker. For four performers: three male, one female. Requires little 
scenery; introducis songs, recitations, and an original Burlesqiie, "'The 
Paint King." Time in representation, two hours. 

14. PAST KEDEMPTION. A New Temperance Drama in Four Acts. By 

George M. Baicer. Nine male, and fi)ur femal.3 characters, and super- 
numeraries. Scenery : three interiors, one exterior. 

15. NEVADA ; or, The Lost Mine. Drama, in Three Acts. By George M. 

Baker, Eight male, three female ch.araclers. Scenery, exterior aud in- 
terior of a Miner's Cabin in Nevada. Time, about two hours. 

Ifi. POISON. A Farce, as acted by the Ilnsty l>udding Club of Harvard College 
with great success. Four male, three female characters. Tune, Ihiily 
minutes. 

1"}. THE COOL COLLEGIANS. Comedy iu Two Acts, by Miles Medic; 
three male and four female characters. ' 

GEORGE M. BAKEB, 47 Franklin Street. 



iBKHKY OF CONGRES 



BY GEORGE M. BAKER, 




017 401 332 



Author of "Amateur Dramas," " The Mimic Stage" "The Social Stage, *^ ^' The Drawing' 
Room. Stage," " Handy Dramas," " The Exhibition Drama" "A Baker's Dozen" etc. 
Titles in this Type are New Plays. 
Titles in this Type are Temperance Plays, 



DBAHAS. 

In Four Acts. 

Better Than Gold. ^ male, 4 female 
char 25 

In Three Acts. 

Our Folks. 6 male, 3 female char. . , 15 
The Plovrer of the Family. 5 

male, 3 female char 15 

Enlisted for the War. 7 male, 3 fe- 
male characters 15 

My Brother's Keeper. 5 male, 3 fe- 
male char. 15 

Tlie Little Sroion tTug, 5 male, 3 

female char 15 

In Two Acts. 

Above the Clouds. 7 male, 3 female 
characters 15 

One Hundred Tears Ago. 7 male, 
4 female char. 13 

Among thk Breakers. 6 male, 4 female 
char IS 

Bread on the Waters. 5 male, 3 female 
char 15 

Down by thk Sea. 6 male, 3 female 
char 13 

Once on a Time. 4 male, 2 female char. 15 

The Last Loaf. 5 male, 3 female char. 15 
In One Act. 

Stand by the Fi-ag. 5 male char. . 15 

The Tempter, 3 male, 1 female char. 15 

COMEDIES AND FAECES. 

A IJIysterious Disappearance. /, 

mnlt:, 3 female char ......... 15 

Paddle Your Ow^n Canoe. 7 male, 

"1 temale char 15 

A IJrop too Much. 4 male, 2 female 

characters 15 

A Little More Cider. $ male, 3 fe- 
male char • 15 

A Thorn Among the Roses. 2 male, 6 

fem,ile char 11; 

Never Say Die. 3 male, 3 female char. 15 
Seeing the Elephant. 6 male, 3 female 

char 15 

The BosiON Dip. 4 male, 3 f»male char. 15 
The Duchess of Dublin. 6 male, 4 fe- 
male char • 15 

Thirty Minutes for Refreshments. 

4 male, 3 female char 1 1 

We're all Teetotalers, 4 male, 2 fe- 
male char 15 

Male Characters Only. 

\ Close Shave. 6 char. 15 

Public Benefactor. 6 char. .... 15 

Sea op Troubles. 8 char. , . . . ^ xg, 

Geo. M. Baker S Co 



COMEDIES, &c., continued. 

Male Characters Otily. 

A Tender Attachment. 7 char. ... is 

Coals of Fire. 6 char, o 15 

Freedom of the Press. 8 char. ... 15 

Shall Our Mothfirs VoteP n char. 15 

Gentlemen of the Jury 12 char. ^ . 15 

Humors of the Strike. 8 char. . . 15 

My Uncle the Captain. 6 char. . . 15 

New Brooms Sweep Clean. 6 char. . 15 

The Great Elixir. 9 char 15 

The Hypochondriac, s char. .... ij 
The Man with the Demijohn. 4 

char. . . 15 

The Runaways 4 char 15 

The Thief of Time. 6 char. . . . 15 

Wanted, a Male Cook. 4 char. . . 1 :j 

Female Characters t '«^'. 

A Love of a Bonnet, s cha/. . ^5 

A Precious Pickle. 6 char 15 

No Cure no Pay. 7 char. 15 

The Champion of Her Sex. 8 char. . 15 

The Greatest Plague IN Life. Jjcha. 15 

The Grecian Bend. 7 char 15 

The Red Chignon. 6 char. .... 15 | 

Using the Weed. 7 char. 151 

ALLEGORIES. | 

Arranged for Music and Tableaux. \ 

Lightheart's Pilgrimage. 8 female 
char »s 

The Revolt of the Bees. 9 female 
char. 15 

The Sculptor's Triumph, i male, 4 fe- 
male char 15 

The '''ournament of Idylcourt. ir. 
female char is 

Thf "Vajr of the Roses. 8 female char. 15 

MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC. 

An Original Idea. 1 male, i female 

char, IS 

Bonbons ; or, the Paint Ring. 6 male, 

1 female char. . 25 

Capuletta ; or, Romeo and Juliet 

Restored. 3 male, i female char. . 15 

Santa Claus' Frolics 15 

Snow-bound; or, Alonzo the Brave 

AND the Fair Imogene. 3 male, 1 

f'-male char A * ^^ 

The Merry Christmas of the Old 

Woman who lived in a Shoe. . . le 
The Pedler of Very Nice. 7 male 

char ;•,;■■■■ '^ 

The Skven Ages. A Tableau Entertam- 

meiit. Numerous male and female char. 1 5 
Too Late for the Train. 2 male char. \% 
The Visions of Freedom, h female 

i-har. > . . . . ij 

/i7 Fraiklin St.. Boston. 



taker's Humorous Dialogues. 



Male characters only. 26 cents,, 



